Mount Airy approves temporary data center moratorium
Mount Airy officials have approved a 60-day temporary moratorium on new and expanded data center projects. This pause will allow the city's Planning Board and staff time to study potential impacts and revise current zoning rules and development ordinances related to data centers.
The Mount Airy Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a 60-day moratorium on new and expanded data center developments during its meeting on Thursday night. The temporary halt, which took effect on July 16 and will last until September 14, applies to all new data centers and expansions within the city's zoning jurisdiction.
City leaders explained that the moratorium will provide crucial time for city staff and the Planning Board to assess the potential impacts of data centers and update the existing development ordinance and zoning rules. This measure aims to establish comprehensive regulations before further data center projects are allowed to proceed.