Dozens sign up to speak against data center proposal for southeast Raleigh
A proposal to build a 100,000 square foot data center in southeast Raleigh is drawing significant opposition. A public hearing on the land annexation for the project is scheduled for next week, with dozens of residents signed up to speak against it, and the City Council reportedly not looking favorably on the plan.
A proposal for a 100,000 square-foot data center on a 13-acre parcel in southeast Raleigh is generating considerable public opposition. The land, located near the intersection of Jones Sausage Road and Rock Quarry Road, is already zoned for industrial mixed-use. The Raleigh City Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing next Tuesday to decide on the land annexation required for the project.
Public interest in the issue is high, with the list to speak at the hearing quickly reaching capacity. Of the 30 individuals allowed to give public comment, only two reportedly support the data center project. Residents, like Lyft driver Aileen, have expressed concerns about increased traffic, congestion, and the appropriateness of such a facility being built close to existing homes and businesses. Mayor Janet Cal indicated that the Council is "not looking favorably" on the proposal, and the allotted 30 minutes for public comment will not accommodate all who signed up. While Raleigh has not enacted a moratorium on data center construction, nearby Wake, Orange, and Chatham counties have done so. Council Member Corey Branch, representing the district where the annexation is proposed, did not respond to requests for comment. Following the hearing, the Council can either approve, deny, or request further information regarding the annexation.