Data center moratorium hearing set for July 6
The Town of Franklin, North Carolina, will hold a public hearing on July 6 to gather input on a proposed 12-month moratorium on data center development within the town and its extra territorial jurisdiction. The town is being proactive in considering the moratorium due to concerns about water and electricity infrastructure, noise, and land use compatibility, and to allow time to develop appropriate zoning standards. Macon County previously amended its High-Impact Land Use ordinance in 2023 to include crypto mining facilities.
The Town of Franklin, North Carolina, has scheduled a public hearing for Monday, July 6, to consider a proposed ordinance that would implement a 12-month moratorium on data center development within its municipal limits and extraterritorial jurisdiction. The hearing will be part of the Franklin Town Council's monthly meeting.
Town Attorney John Henning indicated that similar ordinances are being adopted by other local governments, prompting Franklin to act proactively to avoid becoming a target for such development. Town Manager Amie Owens noted that while no data center developers have yet approached Franklin, there are suitable parcels within the ETJ. Owens highlighted the town's water system as a primary concern, as data centers require significant water for cooling, potentially impacting the water treatment plant's capacity and utility rates due to necessary upgrades. The town also seeks to study impacts on electricity demand, noise, and land use compatibility during the moratorium period.
The proposed ordinance aims to give the town time to evaluate infrastructure impacts, utility capacity, develop specific zoning standards, assess environmental effects, and amend its Unified Development Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan. The moratorium would apply to various development approvals, including rezoning applications, special use permits, and building permits.
Meanwhile, Macon County, where Franklin is located, previously amended its High-Impact Land Use ordinance in June 2023 to include crypto mining and similar server-based facilities, restricting their hours of operation and adding residential areas to restricted zones. County officials, Joe Allen and Warren Cabe, stated the county has not received any data center development requests and would address any future regulations through the existing High Impact Ordinance.