On Monday, the Atlanta City Council filed a proposal to reverse zoning restrictions on data centers near MARTA stations and the Beltline, effectively ending the legislation.
Mayor Andre Dickens opposed the changes, citing concerns that data centers hinder affordable housing, greenspace, and retail development, particularly in underserved neighborhoods. He emphasized the city’s commitment to “people-centered” projects and described data centers as poor urban land use that create “dead zones.”
Councilmember Lewis, who introduced the legislation, aimed to restore prior zoning for specific West End properties but withdrew the proposal after the mayor pledged to invest in transformative projects like the West End Mall and Murphy’s Crossing.
The decision reaffirms Atlanta’s focus on equitable and community-driven development.