Data Center Faces Double Appeal

Johnston and the Nashville Zoo appeal new data center permit.

From Megan Podsiedlik

Councilmember Courtney Johnston and the Nashville Zoo have both filed appeals to nullify a permit application filed by DC Blox for the proposed data center by the zoo.

In Johnston’s appeal, the council member is asking the Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals to overturn Metro's decision to classify the proposed DC Blox data center at 648 Grassmere Park as "General Office" under the zoning code.

Johnston argues that the facility's primary purpose is operating servers, cooling systems, generators, electrical infrastructure, and other data center equipment—not office work.

Metro's zoning code does not currently define data centers, and officials have inconsistently classified the project, first as warehousing and later as general office. Johnston is asking the board to overturn the classification and apply one that better reflects what the facility actually does.

Under the guidance of Nashville Zoo land-use attorney and former Metro Codes Director Bill Herbert, the zoo filed a similar appeal. Though DC Blox has submitted permit applications to Metro, the data center firm has yet to actually close on the sale of the property.

It will take about a month before the board will hear the recently filed appeals. You can track any zoning appeal using the interactive BZA map.

✹ 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.

✹ OPINION: Consumers Are Paying the Price for Washington’s Outdated Copyright Law

From Walter Blanks, Jr

Families deserve to know when Washington is making things more expensive. That is why it is important to shine a light on how an obscure federal law written nearly three decades ago has been turned into a tool that drives up costs for ordinary Americans.

Section 1201 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act was enacted in 1998 as a protective measure against theft of digital inventions. The target was clear: people illegally copying and distributing music and movies. What lawmakers did not anticipate was that large manufacturers would one day embed technological protection measures, such as access controls and proprietary passcodes, into everything from automobiles to washing machines then use the same copyright provision to lock out consumers and independent repair shops from repairing them.

✹ 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)

✹ DATA CENTERS IN NASHVILLE

HEADLINES

• 🖥 TN county imposes one-year moratorium on data centers. The Coffee County Commission unanimously passed a one-year moratorium on data centers to allow the planning commission time to develop zoning regulations. The ban, effective until June 9, 2027, responds to resident concerns while the county, which has countywide zoning, seeks to regulate or make the area less attractive for such facilities. (TN Star)
• 🅿️ Franklin parking study seeks public input on downtown parking challenges. Franklin is launching its first parking study in 10 years to address growing downtown parking challenges amid population growth and high demand for spots like the free Fourth Avenue garage. The Park Franklin Parking Study includes a public survey open through July 10, data collection, and stakeholder input, with findings expected in about 18 months to guide improvements in parking access and management. (NewsChannel 5)
• 💰 Financial trade group challenges new Tennessee tax on foreign remittances. The Financial Technology Association, representing companies like PayPal, Amazon, and SoFi, filed a lawsuit in Davidson County Chancery Court challenging Tennessee’s new tax on international money transfers as unconstitutional under the Commerce Clause and Import-Export Clause. The law imposes a $10 per-transaction tax plus additional charges on larger transfers (effective 2027), which the group says burdens consumers, businesses, and nonprofits sending money abroad. (Banner)

DEVELOPMENT

• 20M Williamson County Land Sale Hints at High-Profile Development Near Leiper's Fork (NBJ)
• Nashville Yards High-Rise Moves Forward, Would Rank Among City's Tallest (Post)
• Lucky Bastard Saloon structure sells for $46M, $20M off 2024 list price (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

🎸 Lots of Hands @ DRKMTTR, 8p, $19.90, Info

🥁 Live Jazz: Parker James , Paul DeFiglia & Anson Hohne @ Vinyl Tap, 7p, Free, Info

🎻 America the Beautiful with JoAnn Falletta @ Schermerhorn Symphony Center, 7:30p, $42+, Info

🪕 Po Ramblin' Boys @ Station Inn, 9p, $20, Info

🎸 Bonnaroo @ Manchester, TN, Info
+ feat. Four Tet, Vince Staples, Skrillex and more...

🎸 Kelley’s Heroes @ Robert’s Western World, 6:30p, Free, Info

🎸 Open Mic @ Fox & Locke, 6:30p, Free, Info
+ vet community here

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Today's newsletter is brought to you by Davis Hunt, Megan Podsiedlik, and Camelia Brennan