Civic Watch · Beta

Civic Watch

Plain-English summaries of public land-use, permitting and environmental records in Memphis, Shelby County, TN and DeSoto County, MS. Every case links to the official record it comes from.

Last checked 2026-10-29. Checked by hand. Errors happen, so confirm with the official source. Corrections: support@killisai.com.

Cases

8 cases

  1. MemphisData-center rulesApproved / adoptedConfidence: medium

    Memphis Substitute Ordinance No. 5986: data-center standards and a 135-day pause

    Record
    Ordinance No. 5986 (Substitute)
    Filed
    Not shown in the record (The posted text does not show a filing date. The City's file is dated 10.20.26.)
    Where
    City of Memphis. Citywide (applies to new data-center applications inside Memphis city limits)
    Status
    Substitute ordinance text posted by the City; Council passage on Oct 20, 2026 reported by local news
    Last action
    Oct 20, 2026: Substitute version considered at the Oct 20, 2026 full Council meeting
    Next
    No further Council action on 5986 is listed in the records we checked. Ordinance No. 5987 (separate case) carries the permanent rules.

    According to Substitute Ordinance No. 5986 as posted by the City of Memphis (file dated 10.20.26), the ordinance directs the Division of Planning and Development (DPD) to draft a separate zoning classification and siting standards for data centers.

    The text gives DPD 45 days to present an analysis of where current zoning could allow a data center, and 90 days to produce proposed code language for the Land Use Control Board.

    Section 10 sets a temporary pause of 135 calendar days on accepting, hearing or approving new applications for new data centers. The text exempts vested rights, previously issued permits, repair of existing facilities, and emergency or safety work.

    Local news reported that the Council passed this substitute on Oct 20, 2026, after a separate longer moratorium proposal (Ordinance No. 5982) did not pass. We have not yet checked official Council minutes for the vote.

    Sources (1)

    Ordinance text read from the official PDF. The vote outcome comes from local news until the official minutes are posted.

    Last checked 2026-10-29 against Substitute Ordinance No. 5986 (City of Memphis PDF).

  2. MemphisData-center rulesUnder reviewConfidence: medium

    Memphis Ordinance No. 5987: zoning code amendments for data centers

    Record
    Ordinance No. 5987
    Filed
    Oct 6, 2026 (Date it first appeared on a Council agenda (Oct 6, 2026 add-on agenda, item 32).)
    Where
    City of Memphis. Citywide (amends the Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code for the City)
    Status
    Passed first and second readings; third and final reading not yet scheduled in records we checked
    Last action
    Oct 20, 2026: Second reading on the Council consent agenda (per the 5986 text and press)
    Next
    Nov 10, 2026, Memphis City Council. Regular meeting date. A third reading on this date is not confirmed; check the posted agenda.

    According to the Memphis City Council add-on agenda for Oct 6, 2026 (item 32), Ordinance No. 5987, "to Adopt Zoning Amendments to the Unified Development Code Relative to Data Centers," was placed on the consent agenda for first reading. The listed sponsors are Councilmembers Warren, Canale, Spinosa and Carlisle.

    The posted text of Substitute Ordinance No. 5986 states that Ordinance No. 5987 "is presently being considered on second reading" and is intended to carry the permanent land-use and siting rules.

    According to the published ordinance notice, final adoption is subject to the Council first receiving a recommendation from the Land Use Control Board.

    Sources (3)

    First reading is in an official agenda. The second-reading status comes from the 5986 text.

    Last checked 2026-10-29 against Memphis City Council add-on agenda, Oct 6, 2026, item 32 (PDF).

  3. DeSoto County, MSRezoningWithdrawnConfidence: high

    Olive Branch File RZN-26-0002: 561.8-acre rezoning to M-3 Planned Industrial ("Desoto Innovation District")

    Record
    File# RZN-26-0002
    Filed
    Not shown in the record (The minutes do not show a filing date. The public hearing was set at the June 16, 2026 meeting.)
    Where
    City of Olive Branch, MS. Northwest corner of Church Road and Craft Road
    Status
    Withdrawn by the applicant, Sept 1, 2026
    Last action
    Sep 1, 2026: Withdrawn by Applicant
    Next
    No pending action. A new filing on this land would start a new case.

    According to the Olive Branch Board of Aldermen minutes of Sept 1, 2026, File# RZN-26-0002 was an application, submitted by Orion Planning Design on behalf of the property owners, to rezone 561.8 +/- acres from A (Agricultural) and A-R (Agricultural-Residential) to M-3 (Planned Industrial) "for the purpose of creating the Desoto Innovation District."

    The minutes state that the public hearing was set for Aug 4, 2026 at the June 16 meeting, was tabled to Sept 1 at the Aug 4 meeting, and was then "Withdrawn by Applicant."

    Our read: M-3 is an industrial district. What a district allows is set by the Olive Branch zoning ordinance. The minutes do not name a specific end user.

    Sources (1)

    Outcome read directly from the official minutes.

    Last checked 2026-10-29 against Olive Branch Board of Aldermen minutes, Sept 1, 2026 (PDF).

  4. DeSoto County, MSSite plan / subdivisionOn an agendaConfidence: medium

    Southaven: MZX Tech subdivision and design review for a storage warehouse, Stanton Road

    Record
    Board of Aldermen agenda, Sept 1, 2026, item 13 (planning items 1 and 2)
    Filed
    Not shown in the record (The agenda does not show a filing date. The agenda was posted Aug 28, 2026.)
    Where
    City of Southaven, MS. South side of Stanton Road, west of Tulane Road
    Status
    On the Sept 1, 2026 Board of Aldermen planning agenda; outcome not yet confirmed from posted minutes
    Last action
    Sep 1, 2026: Listed on the Board of Aldermen planning agenda
    Next
    The Southaven Agenda Center showed no posted minutes for this meeting when we checked. We will update the status once they are posted.

    According to the Southaven Mayor and Board of Aldermen agenda for Sept 1, 2026 (item 13), the planning agenda included an application by MZX Tech for subdivision approval of a one-lot subdivision on the south side of Stanton Road, west of Tulane Road.

    The same agenda listed an application by MZX Tech for design review approval of "a storage warehouse" at the same location.

    Our read: the agenda wording is "storage warehouse." Civic Watch describes the use the way the record describes it. MZX Tech also appears in a separate MDEQ order (see the related case).

    Sources (2)

    The filing is on an official agenda. The vote outcome is not yet confirmed from an official record.

    Last checked 2026-10-29 against Southaven Mayor and Board of Aldermen agenda, Sept 1, 2026.

  5. DeSoto County, MSUse permitWithdrawnConfidence: high

    Olive Branch File CU-26-0005: conditional use permit for a drop yard on 35 acres zoned M-1

    Record
    File# CU-26-0005
    Filed
    Not shown in the record (The minutes do not show a filing date. The appeal hearing was set at the July 7, 2026 meeting.)
    Where
    City of Olive Branch, MS. West side of Ross Road, north side of the end of Nail Road
    Status
    Application withdrawn by the applicant, Aug 18, 2026
    Last action
    Aug 18, 2026: Application withdrawn by Applicant
    Next
    No pending action.

    According to the Olive Branch Board of Aldermen minutes of Aug 18, 2026, the Board had scheduled a public hearing on an appeal of a Board of Zoning Adjustment decision about a conditional use permit application, submitted by Civil-Link on behalf of the property owner, CIP LLC.

    Per the minutes, the request was to permit a drop yard facility for ten years on a 35.0 +/- acre property zoned M-1 (Light Industrial).

    The minutes record: "Application withdrawn by Applicant."

    Sources (1)

    Read directly from the official minutes.

    Last checked 2026-10-29 against Olive Branch Board of Aldermen minutes, Aug 18, 2026 (PDF).

  6. DeSoto County, MSData-center rulesApproved / adoptedConfidence: high

    Olive Branch zoning text amendment: data centers as conditional uses in M-1 and M-2

    Record
    Board of Aldermen minutes, Aug 18, 2026, Planning Commission old business item 4
    Filed
    Not shown in the record (The minutes do not show a filing date. The public hearing was set at the July 21, 2026 meeting.)
    Where
    City of Olive Branch, MS. Citywide zoning text (applies in the M-1 Light Industrial and M-2 Heavy Industrial districts)
    Status
    Adopted by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen, Aug 18, 2026
    Last action
    Aug 18, 2026: Adopted, motion carried unanimously
    Next
    Future data-center proposals in Olive Branch would go through conditional-use review. None is listed in the records we checked.

    According to the Olive Branch Board of Aldermen minutes of Aug 18, 2026, the Board held a public hearing on amending the Zoning Ordinance by adding definitions; restricting smoking within 500 feet of public parks; "specifying criteria for Data Centers as conditional uses in the M-1, Light Industrial, and M-2, Heavy Industrial Districts only"; and changing sign height and placement rules.

    The minutes record the result as "Adopted, motion carried unanimously."

    Read the adopted ordinance text from the City for the exact rules. We have not yet found it posted separately.

    Sources (2)

    Outcome read directly from the official minutes.

    Last checked 2026-10-29 against Olive Branch Board of Aldermen minutes, Aug 18, 2026 (PDF).

  7. DeSoto County, MSAir permitIn effectConfidence: high

    MDEQ Agreed Order No. 7739 26: temporary gas turbines at 2875 Stanton Road, Southaven

    Record
    Commission Order No. 7739 26
    Filed
    Jul 30, 2026 (Date the order was entered ("ORDERED, this the 30th day of July, 2026").)
    Where
    Southaven, MS (state permit record). 2875 Stanton Road, Southaven (an industrial site named in the order)
    Status
    Agreed order entered July 30, 2026; turbine retirement dates run through 2027
    Last action
    Jul 30, 2026: Agreed order entered
    Next
    Dec 31, 2026, Order deadline (not a meeting). Deadline in the order for 13 of the 14 SMT-130 turbines

    According to MDEQ Agreed Order No. 7739 26, entered July 30, 2026, MZX Tech LLC operates 69 portable, temporary natural gas-fired combustion turbines at 2875 Stanton Road, Southaven.

    The order states that MDEQ and MZX agree that operating the listed mobile turbines without separate permits "has not violated Mississippi air permitting requirements," subject to the order's conditions.

    Per the order, MZX will add no more mobile turbines after July 15, 2026, will retire each turbine by the date in Appendix A, will file bi-weekly deactivation reports, and will test emissions on 14 SMT-130 units. The order allows 13 of those 14 units to operate through Dec 31, 2026.

    The order also states that on March 11, 2026, the Mississippi Environmental Quality Permit Board issued a Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permit authorizing 41 stationary combustion turbines at the site.

    Sources (1)

    Read directly from the official order.

    Last checked 2026-10-29 against Agreed Order, Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality vs. MZX Tech LLC (MDEQ enSearch PDF).

  8. MemphisAir permitUnder reviewConfidence: medium

    Shelby County Health Department: CTC Property LLC request to convert Construction Permit No. 01156-01PC to an operating permit

    Record
    Construction Permit No. 01156-01PC (public notice Md113657)
    Filed
    Not shown in the record (The notice does not show the application date. The notice was published Apr 7, 2026.)
    Where
    Memphis, TN (county air permit record). 3231 Paul R. Lowry Road, Memphis 38109 (an industrial site named in the notice)
    Status
    Public notice issued Apr 7, 2026; final permit decision not found in records we checked
    Last action
    Apr 7, 2026: Public notice issued; 30-day written comment period
    Next
    The comment period in the notice has ended. We have not found a posted final decision. A copy of the file can be requested from the Health Department's Pollution Control Section.

    According to a Shelby County Health Department, Pollution Control Section public notice published Apr 7, 2026 (Md113657), CTC Property LLC requested to convert Construction Permit No. 01156-01PC, for 3231 Paul R. Lowry Road, to an operating permit.

    Per the notice, the changes include reducing the permitted Solar SMT-130 turbines from 15 to 12 units and adding requirements under 40 CFR Part 60, Subpart KKKKa.

    The notice states that the Department "intends to issue the requested permits" and invited written comments for 30 calendar days.

    Sources (2)

    This is the Department's legal notice as republished by the newspaper of record. We could not find a copy hosted by the Department itself.

    Last checked 2026-10-29 against Shelby County Health Department public notice, as published in The Daily News legal notices, Apr 7, 2026.

Not listed: matters we could not confirm from an official record we could open. See About.

Meetings, next 30 days

Entered by hand from each body's official schedule. Meetings can be moved or cancelled, so confirm on the linked page.

Not yet on this calendar: Shelby County Commission and DeSoto County Board of Supervisors (official schedules not confirmed yet).

How to take part

  • Read the record. Open the official record linked on each case. It is the source, and this page is only a summary.
  • Check the agenda. Agendas are usually posted a few days before a meeting. See how to read an agenda.
  • Attend or watch. Public meetings are open to anyone. The calendar below links each body's official page.
  • Comment. Most bodies take public comment in person, and some accept written comment. Each body sets its own rules. See how to speak at a meeting.
  • Ask staff. Planning and permitting staff can answer questions about a filing and where to find documents.

Anyone may speak for, against, or simply ask questions. Civic Watch takes no side on any case.

About Civic Watch (Beta). Civic Watch is an independent, free public-information tool from Killis AI, a sole proprietorship based in Memphis, Tennessee. It summarizes publicly available government records about land-use, permitting, and environmental matters in Memphis, Shelby County, TN, and DeSoto County, MS.

Not legal advice. The explainers here are general information, not legal, engineering, environmental, or professional advice. Killis AI is not a law firm, and using this site creates no attorney-client or advisory relationship. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed professional.

Accuracy and dates. Each case is checked by hand against the official record linked on its page, as of the "Last checked" date shown. Government records, hearing dates, and agendas change often and may contain errors. Always confirm with the official source before relying on anything here. Meeting dates are provided for convenience only.

No government affiliation. Civic Watch is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting for the City of Memphis, Shelby County, DeSoto County, any municipality, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, the Shelby County Health Department, or any other government body. Agency names are used only to identify sources.

Independence. Civic Watch does not support or oppose any candidate, party, ballot measure, applicant, or project. We receive no payment from any party named here. Names of applicants and owners appear as they do in public records and do not imply wrongdoing.

Corrections. If you see an error, email support@killisai.com with the case name and the official record supporting the correction. We review requests promptly and note corrections on the affected page with the date.