Charlotte staff left City Council in dark on data center task force: ‘Ridiculous’
The Charlotte City Council expressed frustration after city staff secretly convened a data center community group, prompting concerns about transparency and public participation. This comes after the council enacted a 150-day moratorium on new data center developments to allow staff to develop regulatory policies. Council members are calling for a more open process for engaging stakeholders.
Charlotte, North Carolina, is facing scrutiny over its handling of data center development policies. City Council members expressed significant frustration and disappointment after learning that city staff had secretly convened a "Data Center Task Force," later clarified as a "community group," without their knowledge or proper public notification. Councilman JD Mazuera Arias, who represents a district where American Tower Corporation has a proposed data center that galvanized opposition, criticized the opaque process, suggesting it could lead to an "echo chamber" rather than broad community input.
The clandestine formation of the group occurred despite the City Council having passed a 150-day moratorium on new data center developments in June. This pause was intended to allow city staff until at least November to develop policy recommendations for regulating data centers while complying with state law, and also supported the creation of a transparent stakeholder group. Councilwoman Dimple Ajmera, a key proponent of the moratorium, emphasized the need for a process that "earns the public's trust" and involves meaningful community participation, especially given her personal proximity to a proposed data center site.
Deputy City Manager Alyson Craig attempted to quell concerns, stating in a memo that the community group is meant to provide technical expertise to staff, not replace public engagement. She noted that a consultant has been working with city officials since the moratorium vote, and a broader community engagement plan will launch in August. However, Councilwoman Kimberly Owens highlighted the lack of district representation in the initial group's recruitment. Robert Dawkins, political director for Action NC, labeled the meetings "ridiculous" due to the exclusion of key mobilizing groups and the short notice given to potential participants, learning of the group secondhand. The incident has prompted council members to work with staff to improve communication and procedures moving forward.