# Planning & Zoning: Data Center Legislation Discussion: October 8, 2026

The Memphis City Council’s Planning & Zoning discussion on October 8, 2026, focused on proposed data-center legislation and the city’s authority to regulate facility locations through zoning and permits. Officials said two existing facilities—the former Electrolux plant on Paul Lowry Road and the former Fred’s headquarters on Getwell—had permits or alterations under review, including a publicly known expansion of about 300,000 square feet. Several additional prospective projects were reportedly known, but no new applications had been submitted that were not already public. MLGW’s role in confirming electricity availability was noted as a factor in project timelines.

Council members and the city attorney compared proposals with differing moratorium periods and discussed a comprehensive zoning approach, identified as Ordinance 5987 in the transcript. Options included requiring special-use permits and reviews addressing siting, setbacks and buffers, noise, utilities, and infrastructure impacts; the city attorney also discussed limits on the city’s authority and legal risks of a prolonged moratorium. Members considered amending a separate moratorium proposal to pause activity until the zoning ordinance takes effect, but no vote or spending authorization occurred during this discussion. Potential requirements for developers to cover incremental infrastructure costs and proposals for community-benefit funding were raised; the latter may require state approval. No contract award, procurement action, or budget allocation was identified.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Information Technology, Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure, Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** October 08, 2026

### Sources
- [Planning & Zoning: Data Center Legislation Discussion: October 8, 2026](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaKO_Uy3G8M) - Memphis City Council