Green light on zoning, no moratorium for Stokes County
Stokes County Commissioners rejected a proposed moratorium on data centers despite vocal public opposition. The board approved new zoning ordinances that introduce restrictions on future projects, strengthening protections that were not previously in place.
Stokes County Commissioners held their first meeting in July, which included a public comment period dominated by discussions surrounding a potential data center and related zoning amendments. Residents expressed continued concerns about the development.
Following the public comments, the commissioners voted to reject a recommendation from the county planning board for a moratorium on data centers. One commissioner noted that a moratorium was not necessary as they were not rushing into decisions. Despite this, the board faced vocal and negative interjections from the crowd throughout the evening.
The commissioners also addressed proposed changes to zoning regulations, not exclusively for data centers, but which would introduce new restrictions on various projects. Staff had advised that certain parts of the zoning amendments might have legal ramifications if not handled correctly, with the county attorney cautioning against an outright ban on data centers without anticipating legal repercussions. Staff recommended holding section 'A' of the amendments for further review.
Later in the meeting, the commissioners voted to approve the rest of the zoning ordinances, excluding section 'A'. Commissioners Rick Morris, Keith Wood, and Sonya Cox voted in favor of the approval, while Brad Chandler and Wayne Barneycastle voted against it. These newly approved zoning restrictions are intended to tighten oversight and provide better protections for future developments.