Town of Waxhaw to hold public meeting on 1-year data center moratorium
The Town of Waxhaw, North Carolina, is holding a public meeting to gather input on a proposed one-year moratorium on data center development applications. This measure is intended to allow the town time to revise its land development code to properly address data center facilities, as no developers have yet approached the town.
The Town of Waxhaw, North Carolina, is scheduled to host a public meeting on August 11 to discuss a proposed one-year moratorium on data center development applications. The moratorium aims to temporarily halt the acceptance and approval of such applications, including those for cryptocurrency mining and related infrastructure, within the town's zoning jurisdiction.
According to a statement from the town, the purpose is to provide time for research, study, and the development of amendments to the town's land development code (LDC). This process seeks to address potential loopholes in the LDC that could lead to unexpected data center proposals.
Waxhaw Mayor Robert Murray stated that the town is implementing the moratorium to ensure its LDC is prepared to accommodate a data center if one were ever proposed, noting that no developers have approached them yet. While not explicitly favoring a total ban, Mayor Murray indicated that data centers might not align with residents' desires for more parks and open spaces, emphasizing the need for the code to be ready should a project be 'by right'. Changes to the proposed moratorium may occur following the public hearing.