‘Pump the brakes’: Another Alabama city approves temporary ban for data centers
The central Alabama city unanimously approved the moratorium.
Mason Reed 
Another central Alabama community is hitting the pause button on the rapid rise of data center infrastructure. The Leeds City Council, representing the suburb east of Birmingham, voted unanimously on Monday to enact a one-year moratorium on permit approvals and property development for data center campuses and similar high-impact facilities.
Taking Time to Evaluate
Councilmember Cary Kennedy addressed the room during Monday’s meeting, noting the aggressive growth of these facilities across the region. The goal of the one-year ban is to provide local officials with the necessary time to gather more information and conduct a thorough review of the potential impact on the city.
This decision makes Leeds at least the second Alabama city to pump the brakes on such developments, joining Birmingham, which implemented an ongoing six-month pause earlier this year.
Community Concerns and Utility Clarity
The initiative gained traction following advocacy from local residents, including Christy Johnson, who urged the council to intervene two weeks ago. Johnson expressed concern regarding a social media post suggesting Alabama Power was marketing a site in the area to developers.
However, Alabama Power spokesperson Anthony Cook clarified that the utility is not currently recruiting data centers to Leeds. Cook noted that the online material originated from an outdated listing for a site that was not located in Leeds. He confirmed that the post has since been removed and there are no active projects of this nature in the city.
What Comes Next
Roughly 50 residents attended the Monday meeting to discuss the future of the municipality. While some attendees suggested a permanent ban due to concerns over environmental impacts on the Cahaba River and its local wildlife, Councilmember Sabrina Rose noted the legal constraints on immediate indefinite bans. Councilmember Eric Turner confirmed that the city intends to work toward a long-term solution through future zoning policy adjustments.
