Before applications arrive, board imposes data center moratorium
Surry County, North Carolina, has unanimously imposed a 60-day moratorium on data center development to establish permanent zoning regulations. This preemptive move aims to address concerns regarding noise, water consumption, energy demands, and impact on the rural character before any applications are submitted. County staff will use this period to draft specific ordinance amendments.
The Surry County Board of Commissioners in North Carolina unanimously enacted a 60-day moratorium on data center development, effective immediately and running through July 31. This preemptive measure was taken to allow county staff and the planning board time to establish specific zoning regulations for data centers, which are currently not explicitly addressed in the county's development ordinance. County Attorney Howard Jones indicated that while the moratorium does not signal opposition to data centers as a land use, it is necessary to set standards given the unique water consumption, energy demand, and environmental impacts of such facilities.
A public hearing held before the vote saw six speakers, all supporting the moratorium. Concerns raised included noise from cooling systems and backup generators, strain on the Blue Ridge crystalline aquifer and local water table, the potential cost of grid upgrades to ratepayers, and the limited number of permanent jobs created by data centers. Speakers also emphasized the importance of preserving the county's rural character.
Vice Chair Eddie Harris and Commissioner Van Tucker clarified that the board has not solicited or incentivized data centers but wants proper regulations in place. Harris also expressed willingness to extend the moratorium if needed to ensure alignment with the county's 2040 land use plan. The planning board is scheduled to review draft amendments on June 8, with commissioners targeting July 20 for the adoption of a permanent ordinance or a decision on extending the moratorium. Several other North Carolina counties, including Cumberland and Moore, have also recently enacted or considered data center moratoriums.