According to media reports, opponents of a proposed data center in Lawrenceburg have launched a second petition calling for an 18-month moratorium on data center development in Lawrence County.

The petition comes as a proposed data center along Flatwoods Road moves closer to another step in the approval process. Organizers say the project's site plan is scheduled to go before the Lawrenceburg City Planning Commission on July 9 at 1:00 PM.

Supporters of the moratorium effort are encouraging residents to sign the petition and attend the planning commission meeting. The petition is available online at:

https://www.change.org/p/petition-for-an-18-month-moratorium-on-data-centers-in-lawrence-county-tn

The proposed project has been the subject of months of public discussion. City leaders have previously described the development as a roughly 60,000-square-foot, 5-megawatt cloud storage data center planned for property along Flatwoods Road. Earlier this year, the property was rezoned from residential to light industrial to allow the project to move forward.

Opponents have raised concerns about potential impacts on local water resources, electricity demand, noise, and the amount of information made available to the public during the rezoning process.

Media reports note that similar actions have been taken elsewhere in Middle Tennessee. McMinnville recently approved an 18-month moratorium on new data centers, while Coffee County approved a one-year pause on new projects while officials consider possible regulations.

In addition to the petition effort, organizers have reportedly launched an online fundraiser. According to media reports, proceeds could be used for advertising related to the moratorium campaign and to hire legal counsel regarding alleged Sunshine Law violations.

The proposed data center is expected to be considered by the Lawrenceburg City Planning Commission on July 9.