Chatham County Commissioners approve two items in special meeting on data centers
Chatham County commissioners unanimously approved changes to the county’s zoning ordinance to add language addressing data centers and scheduled a public hearing on development standards. The county’s temporary moratorium remains in place, but a Superior Court judge recently ruled in favor of Eco TIP West, whose planned 750-megawatt data center near Moncure is covered by the dispute.
Chatham County commissioners unanimously voted at a special meeting to revise the county’s zoning ordinance so it can include specific language governing data centers. They also scheduled a Nov. 30 public hearing to consider changes to development standards as officials work to address environmental and community concerns about large facilities.
The county adopted a temporary data center moratorium in February amid public backlash, but the pause did not stop Eco TIP West’s plans for a 750-megawatt facility at the Triangle Innovation Point West business park near Moncure. Eco TIP West sued Chatham County in April, arguing that its project was already underway when the moratorium was adopted; a Superior Court judge recently ruled in favor of the property owner. County residents and the Haw River Assembly are also advocating for a statewide moratorium.