Fayetteville Holds Public Hearing for Data Center Regulations on Monday
The Fayetteville City Council is holding a public hearing and potential vote on proposed data center regulations, following a visit by city officials to data centers in Virginia. This action is set against a backdrop of community opposition to a proposed 300-megawatt data center in Eastover and an existing moratorium on data centers in Cumberland County.
The Fayetteville City Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing on Monday regarding proposed regulations for data centers, which could be followed by a vote. This move represents a significant step as elected officials in the area contend with increasing controversies surrounding data center developments.
In preparation for these decisions, Mayor Mitch Colvin and Councilmembers Malik Davis and Brenda McNair, along with city staff, visited several data centers in Loudoun County, Virginia, in late July. During their tour, they observed facilities operated by Vantage Data Centers, Equinix, CloudHQ, and Digital Realty, and met with the vice chair of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors. Mayor Colvin noted Loudoun County's substantial tax revenue from nearly 300 data centers, which contributes to local services. Councilmember Davis specifically inquired with residents near data centers about water contamination, receiving assurances that no issues had occurred.
The proposed Fayetteville regulations would allow data centers in industrial zones while prohibiting them in residential areas. These amendments to the city’s Unified Development Ordinance include requirements for generators to be set back 150-200 feet from residential property lines, buffer zones, screening, and noise tests to mitigate impacts on neighbors.
Separately, the Eastover Town Council has expressed strong opposition to a proposed 300-megawatt data center on Custer Avenue, near the town limit. The council sent a letter to Fayetteville City Manager Doug Hewett, citing community concerns about noise, traffic, light pollution, and high water and electricity usage. Additionally, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners has enacted a moratorium on data centers until December, during which they plan to develop and enact a county-wide ordinance. Community meetings are being held by the county to gather resident input on these forthcoming regulations, with residents expressing worries about environmental impacts and the use of AI systems.