Fayetteville City Council Schedules Hearing on Proposed Data Center Moratorium
The Fayetteville City Council voted 6-4 to schedule a public hearing on a temporary data center construction moratorium and to direct staff to prepare a moratorium ordinance. The council also voted to continue refining regulations covering zoning, noise, setbacks, emissions, and power and water impacts, amid public protests and disagreement among council members.
The Fayetteville City Council voted 6-4 to schedule a public hearing on a temporary pause in data center construction and to direct staff to develop a moratorium ordinance. Councilmember Shaun McMillan argued that residents were demanding action, while Mayor Mitch Colvin and other council members favored continuing work on regulations without immediately halting development. The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners has already enacted a moratorium that is set to expire in December.
In a separate 6-4 vote, the council directed City Attorney Lachelle Pulliam, city staff and Raleigh attorney Nick Tosco to revise the proposed data center ordinance. The draft would regulate facilities through zoning, noise limits, setbacks, emissions and appearance standards, while requiring coordination with the Fayetteville Public Works Commission and utility impact statements addressing electricity and water use. Tosco warned that some data center-specific restrictions could conflict with state law and invite legal challenges. The council is scheduled to revisit the ordinance at a future meeting following the public hearing process.