Residents caution city against data centers

Mocksville residents voiced strong opposition to data centers at a recent Board of Commissioners meeting, urging officials to avoid approving such developments within Mocksville and Davie County. Speakers, including Jeremy Puthoff, highlighted concerns about the environmental impact, high resource consumption (power and water), and potential degradation of quality of life and property values.

The meeting followed the Davie County Board of Commissioners' decision to enact a 12-month moratorium on data center land development, a move that does not extend to areas within municipal limits. Town Manager Lee Rollins acknowledged an inquiry from a company regarding a Bethel Church Road location but noted no formal requests have been submitted. Mayor Will Marklin clarified that if current general industrial zoning allows for data centers, the town board could not deny an application without a requested zoning change, which would then be subject to a vote by the planning board and commissioners.

Residents like Bradley Duffner, who has experience designing data centers, emphasized the negative impacts, while others, including Jeff Plott, Mary Jamis, and Alice Hawes, pressed the town to review and update its regulations concerning industrial standards, resource usage, and potential pollution. Sarah Weschler specifically requested the town consider its own moratorium, likening the lack of town-level action to being the "smoking section of the restaurant" if it doesn't align with the county's pause.