Charlotte officials consider data center moratorium amid resident concerns
Charlotte officials are considering a 150-day moratorium on new data center construction in response to resident concerns about noise, power, and water usage. A specific 58-acre data center project proposed by American Tower Corp. in East Charlotte has had its zoning vote postponed amidst these debates. The city council has scheduled a public hearing on the moratorium for May 26.
Charlotte, North Carolina is currently debating a proposed 150-day moratorium on new data center construction as residents and city council members raise significant concerns. The temporary halt, which would prevent the city from approving new plans or accepting applications, is scheduled for a public hearing on May 26 with a potential vote by June 8.
At the forefront of the discussion is a 58-acre edge data center facility planned for East Charlotte, petitioned by American Tower Corp. A zoning vote on this particular project has been postponed until June 15. Residents have actively opposed new developments, citing worries about noise, strain on the energy grid, and substantial water consumption, especially during an ongoing drought. The Party for Socialism and Liberation also organized a protest outside the Government Center building.
Deputy City Manager Alyson Craig's presentation highlighted that data centers currently account for less than 1% of North Carolina's peak electricity demand. However, these facilities are resource-intensive, with large data centers potentially consuming millions of gallons of water daily and requiring significant power, a demand exacerbated by the rise of AI. While American Tower claims its proposed edge data center would use only 2% of a hyperscaler's power and land, the city is exploring stricter standards within its Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) to better protect neighboring communities from such developments.