York County Council Honors Late County Attorney, Wrestles With Data Center Concerns, and Advances Five Rezoning Cases at April 6 Meeting

The York County Council convened a lengthy and emotionally charged meeting on April 6, 2026, where members honored the late County Attorney Michael Kendree before proceeding with a full agenda. A significant portion of the session was dedicated to passionate public testimony concerning the ongoing QTS data center construction near residential areas, with residents from Fort Mill and Rock Hill raising a multitude of objections. Ten speakers addressed the council, detailing issues such as industrial noise, light pollution, nitrogen oxide emissions, and strain on energy infrastructure. Nesh Patel, a Westport resident, highlighted the lack of warning signage for new homebuyers near the large-scale industrial facility. Steve Penland, whose farm borders the QTS site, urged the planning committee to require substantial setbacks and vegetative buffers. Chris Thompson of York presented drone photographs of a similar QTS facility in Fayetteville, Georgia, contrasting its 40-foot buildings with York County's approved 80-foot structures and calling for a moratorium on data centers. Further concerns were voiced by Stacy Armstrong of Rock Hill regarding inadequately monitored noise, and Clark Wells of Clover, who criticized data center developers' tactics and demanded clear, measurable standards and a moratorium. Tammy Norett questioned the county's plans for recently purchased QTS-related property and called for a decommissioning bond. Ken Sichi, a firefighter-paramedic, described how constant construction noise at the QTS site disrupted his ability to rest at home. Later in the meeting, a council member formally recommended considering a moratorium on new data center applications, while another urged an industry-neutral approach to standards for water usage, power consumption, and decommissioning, acknowledging the rapid growth of the AI industry.