Data Center Dai$y Chain
Horton champions regulations while also taking money from proponents of the data center near the zoo · Mayor issues EO in support of data center moratorium · Blackburn asks DC Blox to reconsider data center near zoo · Much more!
Good afternoon, everyone. CM Horton is lead sponsor on Nashville's data center regulations, so why is he also taking money from PACs connected to the attorney representing the data center near the zoo?... Mayor signs executive order in support of temporary moratorium on new large-scale data centers.... Blackburn asks DC Blox to reconsider data center near zoo... And much more!
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Councilmember Rollin Horton takes donor money from PACs connected to DC Blox attorney while pushing data center regulations.
From Megan Podsiedlik
Last week, Councilmember Rollin Horton—who is the lead sponsor on the bills that would establish data center regulations in Nashville—raised concerns about some of the language in Councilmember Courtney Johnston’s moratorium that would place a temporary freeze on new data center permits. Horton’s sticking point was the bill’s lack of distinction between large hyperscale data centers and smaller-scale projects.
“Unfortunately, this moratorium makes no such distinguishment and lumps in the massive hyperscale data centers with high school computer labs and bans all of them,” said Horton.
Though he ultimately voted in support of the bill during its first reading, Horton’s pushback was surprising. The legislation is a temporary freeze on the permitting process, not a permanent ban. In fact, it could give his legislation a bit more breathing room by halting data center applications as the council hammers out the regulations Horton claims to be championing.
Things got even more confusing during last week’s Planning Commission meeting, where Horton appeared to be uncertain about what his own legislation does. He asked whether his proposed setback distances are sufficient, how EPA standards should be incorporated into the ordinance, and whether developers could evade stricter rules by building multiple small data centers.
Horton clearly needs a bit more time to refine his legislation, so why the lack of enthusiasm for a moratorium to halt data centers while the council does its due diligence?
The plot thickens Digging into Councilmember Horton’s donor list only deepens the mystery and raises serious suspicions about who he really represents. Recent disclosures reveal that Horton has received three contributions from two separate PACs linked to Doug Sloan. The same Doug Sloan who is representing DC Blox as its attorney in the data center proposal next to the zoo.
Between November and December 2025, the Thompson Burton PAC—a corporate PAC linked to the law firm where Sloan is currently a partner representing DC Blox—contributed $1,000 directly to Horton. The Holland & Knight Tennessee PAC, where Sloan was formerly a partner, contributed $500.
Though DC Blox has submitted permit applications to Metro, the data center firm has yet to actually close on the sale of the property. Under the guidance of Nashville Zoo land-use attorney and former Metro Codes Director Bill Herbert, the zoo filed an appeal to the permit. Councilmember Courtney Johnston plans to file a similar challenge as well, though the current BZA map is only reflecting the zoo’s submission.
If either appeal is honored, it could gum up DC Blox’s data center application. Though, it’s unclear whether it would restart the permit process or subject the company to any new regulations if the council moves forward with data center guardrails.
That said, if the legislation to temporarily freeze permitting could potentially help bring the proposed data center near the zoo—or any new data center—under the purview of Horton’s new regulations, why be a stick-in-the-mud?
***Shortly before we published, Mayor Freddie O'Connell issued Executive Order 59 in support of a moratorium on new data center development.
✹ THE RISE OF SPENCER PRATT
The Rise of Spencer Pratt Filmmaker Gabriel Mann, a California native who fled to Nashville in 2021 and made his name with the wildfire documentary Hotshots, has been behind the scenes for Spencer Pratt's improbable rise from reality-star-turned-aggrieved-homeowner after the Palisades fire destroyed his home to a competitive candidate in LA's mayoral race.
Mann witnessed Pratt's transformation firsthand, starting in the aftermath of the fires, and has produced every one of the groundbreaking campaign ads that've captured the nation. Join us Thursday, June 18, at Bungalow Studios for the inside story.
This event benefits The Pamphleteer, Nashville and is priced with that in mind. Bard-level subscribers receive free admittance.
✹ MAYOR FREDDIE O'CONNELL SIGNS DATA CENTERS EXECUTIVE ORDER
The order, issued today, supports a large-scale data center moratorium and new data center regulations while also instructing departments to study impacts of data centers.
Today, Mayor Freddie O’Connell signed Executive Order 59 putting the full weight of the Metro government behind work already underway to implement a temporary moratorium on new large-scale data centers. The order directs Metro departments to identify lawful ways to ensure Nashville’s air, water, public spaces, and residents are protected from the potential negative impacts of large-scale data center operations.
“We don’t want the potential negative impacts of large-scale data centers in our neighborhoods, so in partnership with the Metro Council, we’re taking action to ensure we put proper regulations in place before any more of these things are proposed,” said Mayor O’Connell. “With this Executive Order, we’ll work with Metro departments and the Metro Council to ensure Nashville remains a place where our residents’ health and safety always come first.”
✹ METRO COUNCIL WATCH
New Council Watch Features We've added additional features to Council Watch. In addition to who's funding your council member, you can now see how they vote and who they vote with most frequently. (Take a Look)
HEADLINES
- 🦒 Blackburn asks DC Blox to reconsider data center near zoo. Senator Marsha Blackburn is calling for the proposed data center near the Nashville Zoo to be "revisited" amid widespread backlash. The project by Georgia-based DC Blox faces strong bipartisan and community opposition—including a petition with hundreds of thousands of signatures, a zoning appeal by the zoo, protests, and support from figures like Brad Paisley—over issues like lack of transparency, size, and high energy use. (Tennessean)
- 💰 Nashville Metro Council to consider budget with $23M for affordable housing program. Nashville's Metro Council is considering a substitute FY2027 budget filed by Budget Chair Kyonzté Toombs that increases the Barnes Housing Trust Fund by an additional $1 million to a total of $23 million. The proposal also adds funding for eviction defense, homeless services, fire department programs, and workforce development, based on resident input, while aiming to improve housing stability and quality of life. (NewsChannel 5)
- 🎒 Fewer Metro Nashville students pulled from class for discipline. Metro Nashville Public Schools has seen a significant drop in exclusionary discipline (removing students from class, such as in-school suspensions or visits to the dean’s office). According to Dr. Elisa Norris, Chief of Student Support Services, exclusionary discipline incidents fell 55 percent districtwide over four years. The district also reported a decline in chronic absenteeism. (TN Firefly)
DEVELOPMENT
- HCA affiliate buys Rivergate-area apartment building $15.2M (Post)
THINGS TO DO
View our calendar for the week here.
📅 Visit our On The Radar list to find upcoming events around Nashville.
🎧 On Spotify: Pamphleteer's Picks, a playlist of our favorite bands in town this week.
👨🏻🌾 Check out our Nashville farmer's market guide.
TONIGHT
🪕 Bluegrass Mondays with Kyle Tuttle @ Dee's Lounge, 6p, $10, Info
🪕 Val Storey, Carl Jackson, Larry Cordle & New Monday @ Station Inn, 8p, $20, Info
💀 Grateful Monday @ Acme Feed & Seed, 7p, Free, Info
🕺 Motown Monday @ The 5 Spot, 9p, $5, Info
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Today's newsletter is brought to you by Davis Hunt, Megan Podsiedlik, and Camelia Brennan