Stokes County voids data center rezoning approval over notice violation, developer to resubmit

Stokes County commissioners voted to void the rezoning approval for Project Delta, a proposed data center development near Walnut Cove, North Carolina. This decision came after a lawsuit alleged the county failed to meet state public notice requirements for the original January 12 vote, specifically publishing the notice too early. The initial rezoning of approximately 1,845 acres off Highway 311 from residential agricultural to heavy manufacturing conditional zoning had been approved by a 3-2 vote despite significant public opposition regarding environmental impact, noise, and community character. County legal counsel advised that the accidental notice violation rendered the original approval void from the beginning. While the project is not terminated, the developer, DFC Stokes, LLC, confirmed plans to resubmit the rezoning application, which will require the entire approval process, including public meetings and board votes, to be repeated. The county's planning department has been directed to implement a comprehensive review process for future submissions to ensure compliance with notice requirements.