Fayetteville City Council Approves 4-Month Delay in Data Center Moratorium

The Fayetteville City Council recently voted 6-3 to approve a 120-day delay in considering a year-long moratorium on data center developments within the city. This decision, following a previous halt on a data center regulating ordinance, sparked vocal rebuke from data center opponents who chanted "shame" during the meeting. Mayor Mitch Colvin, along with Councilmembers Malik Davis, Stephon Ferguson, Deno Hondros, Brenda McNair, and Mayor Pro Tem Derrick Thompson, voted for the delay, while Councilmembers Lynne Greene, Antonio Jones, and Shaun McMillan voted against it. Assistant City Attorney Victoria Curtis clarified that a moratorium would require two public hearings before the Planning Commission and the Council. The 120-day pause will allow city staff to prepare the moratorium, research how other municipalities are addressing data centers, and gather information on concerns regarding water, electricity, noise, and air pollution. Opponents have intensified their activities since January, with signs expressing concerns like "Don't trade our water for data centers and AI." The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners is also set to hold a public hearing on a potential moratorium. The council will revisit the moratorium or an ordinance after the 120-day period.