Davidson commissioners begin shaping rules for data centers
Davidson County officials are developing a zoning ordinance amendment to regulate future data centers, addressing concerns like noise, setbacks, and water use. This initiative follows the rejection of a six-month moratorium on data centers. Commissioners plan to visit existing data center sites in other areas to gather information.
Davidson County, North Carolina, officials are moving forward with drafting new zoning regulations for future data centers, just weeks after a proposed six-month moratorium failed due to a tie vote. Planning and Zoning Director Lee Crook is seeking direction from the Davidson County Board of Commissioners on the scope of the ordinance, which is expected to cover issues such as noise limits, setbacks from neighboring properties, landscaping, architectural standards, water-cooling systems, and the overall approval process for data center projects.
Commissioners Matt Mizell and Tripp Kester specifically advocated for requiring special-use permits for large, hyperscale data centers to give the board more control over their development. Vice Chairman Todd Yates, who opposed the moratorium, noted that some developers already hold legal zoning opinions for their properties, potentially allowing them to proceed regardless of new regulations. Yates also expressed opposition to offering economic incentives for data centers.
To better understand data center operations and community impacts, the commissioners intend to visit Google's facility in Lenoir and Meta's data center in Forest City. Crook is also considering an informal workshop with the Davidson County Planning Board in mid-October to review progress on the proposed ordinance before it enters the formal approval process.