Guilford County delays decision on six-month data center moratorium
Guilford County commissioners delayed a decision on a proposed six-month moratorium on new data center development after residents argued that the pause was too short. The board is expected to revisit the proposal Nov. 5, with some residents seeking a 32-month moratorium instead.
Guilford County commissioners postponed a vote on a proposed six-month data center moratorium after most speakers at a public hearing said the pause would not provide enough time to develop effective regulations. Resident Bree Guerra advocated for a 32-month moratorium, citing the likelihood of legal challenges and the time needed to study how other communities structure their rules.
Commissioner Skip Alston supported delaying the vote, noting that no formal proposals for new data centers had been submitted. The board is expected to reconsider the moratorium Nov. 5. The discussion follows Northampton County’s adoption of a 32-month pause and Forsyth County commissioners’ rejection of a moratorium over concerns about potential lawsuits from developers.