Stokes County Commissioners Reject Moratorium, Data Center Rezoning Application Refiled in Walnut Cove
A rezoning application for a proposed data center in Walnut Cove, Stokes County, has been refiled by Engineered Land Solutions. This comes shortly after the Stokes County Board of Commissioners rejected a proposed moratorium on data centers, despite a recommendation from the planning board and significant public opposition. The county is also reviewing broader zoning regulation changes.
Drew Nations, CEO of Engineered Land Solutions, has announced the refiling of a rezoning application for a proposed data center project in Walnut Cove, Stokes County. This decision follows a recent meeting of the Stokes County Board of Commissioners where they voted against implementing a temporary moratorium on data center developments, despite a recommendation from the planning board and a standing-room-only crowd expressing opposition.
Nations highlighted that the proposed "Project Delta" could generate an estimated $40 million in annual tax revenue for Stokes County, enabling improved teacher salaries, school renovations, and increased funding for emergency services, while potentially cutting property taxes. He also stated that the refiled application addresses community concerns regarding noise limits, generator placement, cooling systems, water infrastructure, floodplain limits, lighting, height limits, and buffer areas.
The Board of Commissioners' vote to reject the moratorium came after a public comment period where numerous residents voiced their concerns. Although the planning board had recommended a moratorium to allow for updates to county zoning and development ordinances, commissioners decided against it, with one stating there was no immediate hurry.
Simultaneously, Stokes County officials are reviewing broader changes to zoning regulations that would set new restrictions on future projects, not limited to data centers. The county attorney has advised against an outright ban on data centers, citing potential legal repercussions for the county.