Fayetteville Punts Data Center Regulations to Late October

The Fayetteville City Council voted 7-3 to defer action on proposed data center regulations until late October, tasking city staff with revising the draft after a lengthy and at times contentious public hearing. Councilmember Lynne Greene's motion passed despite calls from some council members, like Shaun McMillan, for a data center moratorium, a position opposed by Mayor Mitch Colvin who favors first-hand research.

During the meeting, an overflow crowd of data center critics protested, with some ejected for disrupting the proceedings. Critics, including political activist Zachary Traylor and resident Babette Augustin, voiced concerns about environmental impact, water consumption, and health risks, and collected over 1,400 signatures against data centers. They urged the city to enact a moratorium, noting that Cumberland County had already imposed a six-month moratorium on data centers outside city limits in June. Data center supporters, including John Szoka of the Conservative Energy Network, advocated for the economic benefits and national security importance of data centers, suggesting regulations should include requirements for reporting water and electricity usage.

Councilmember Deno Hondros recommended visiting data centers that have had negative community impacts to better inform the drafting of regulations. The proposed regulations would generally allow data centers in industrial zones, with conditional permits in commercial areas, and prohibit them near residential zones, while also requiring mitigation for noise and other impacts near homes. The revised regulations are expected to incorporate feedback from the public hearing, forums, and a visit by city officials to 'Data Center Alley' in Loudoun County, Virginia.