ACCA calls for review of planning and zoning authority as data center debate looms large
Alabama counties said piecemeal rules for data centers and solar projects leave rural communities without clear tools to manage growth.
The Association of County Commissions of Alabama released an official resolution Monday calling for a comprehensive review of the role county commissions play in addressing land use and zoning issues in the state’s unincorporated areas.
The resolution, unanimously approved by the association’s members at its recent annual business session, comes amid increased public debate over the construction of artificial intelligence data centers in Alabama and whether county governments have authority to regulate land development in unincorporated communities.
“County commissions understand the importance of addressing the concerns of the citizens they serve while operating within the authority granted to them by state law,” ACCA Executive Director Sonny Brasfield said. “Granting planning and zoning authority for a single industry raises practical and constitutional concerns.”
“Rather than pursuing an industry-specific approach, counties believe a broader conversation is needed about how county governments can effectively support strategic and productive growth in Alabama’s unincorporated areas,” Brasfield added.
The ACCA resolution notes that while local governments across the U.S. have pursued temporary moratoriums on data centers as they review potential impacts and planning regulations, most Alabama county commissions currently lack adequate authority to enact similar moratoriums in unincorporated communities.
The association also highlighted parallels between the ongoing data center debate and recent disputes over the development of solar energy facilities in rural Alabama, emphasizing the need for a broader approach to planning and zoning authority rather than industry-specific solutions.
The resolution ultimately calls for the Alabama Legislature to formally recognize county planning and zoning authority over land use issues affecting unincorporated areas.
As data centers and their effects on local communities continue to draw local and national attention, state lawmakers could consider clarifying county governments’ role in addressing land use issues during the 2027 Legislative Session.
