Salisbury City Council passes data center text amendment
The Salisbury City Council passed a data center text amendment despite public opposition and requests for a moratorium. The amendment allows developers to apply for conditional districting for data storage facilities with specific limitations on power consumption, setbacks, noise, and inspections. Trammel Crow, owners of a potential Flexential data center property, had applied for this amendment.
The Salisbury City Council voted 4-1 to pass a data center text amendment, allowing developers to apply for conditional districting for data storage facilities within city limits. The amendment, proposed by Trammel Crow for a potential Flexential data center property, includes specific limitations on power consumption, setbacks, noise levels, and inspections.
Public commenters at council meetings repeatedly urged the city to implement a one-year moratorium on data center development and reject the amendment, citing concerns about environmental impacts and the need for more research. Brad Mobley and Karen Windate were among those who spoke, advocating for a slower, more cautious approach. City Attorney Graham Corriher clarified that an outright ban would likely result in a lawsuit and that the text amendment establishes a rigorous conditional district zoning process, not an immediate permit. Salisbury Rowan Utilities Director Jason Wilson, Fire Chief Bob Parnell, and Development Director Sada Troutman also addressed concerns regarding water usage, fire safety, and potential tax benefits, respectively. Troutman noted that a data center could bring in $3 million to $6 million annually in property taxes.
While Councilmember Gemale Black voted against the amendment due to public concerns about environmental impacts and the desire to slow down, Mayor Pro Tem Susan Kluttz, Councilmember Carlton Jackson, Councilmember Harry McLaughlin, and Mayor Tamara Sheffield supported it. They emphasized that the amendment provides a necessary regulatory framework with significant restrictions and that city staff had conducted thorough due diligence. The council members largely viewed the amendment as the best way to define and regulate a lawful land use in Salisbury, despite threats of electoral consequences.