Stokes County Commissioners Approve Zoning Amendments for Data Centers Despite Opposition
Stokes County Commissioners rejected a planning board's recommendation for a data center moratorium and approved zoning amendments for a proposed hyperscale AI data center in Walnut Cove. This decision came despite strong public opposition from residents concerned about noise, pollution, and massive resource use.
Stokes County Commissioners rejected a Planning Board recommendation for a data center moratorium and voted 3-2 to approve zoning amendments allowing data centers, despite significant public opposition. This decision, made at their July 13 meeting, also disregarded the Planning Board’s advice to adhere to the Stokes County Comprehensive Plan 2035: Moving Together, which the proposed data center contradicts. County staff also opposed the Planning Board's recommendations.
The controversy centers on a proposed hyperscale AI data center spanning 1,845 acres near the Dan River in Walnut Cove. Residents have actively voiced their opposition since last fall, citing concerns over 24/7 noise, vibration, pollution, immense electricity and water consumption, fire risks, and increased truck traffic. The proposed site is also noted for its historical significance within Stokes County.
Despite nearly 200 residents attending the meeting to plead for a pause, and knowing that 38 other North Carolina jurisdictions have enacted data center moratoriums, the Commissioners proceeded with the zoning approvals, a move described by the author as denying "the will of the people."