Lawsuit Challenges Stokes County’s Data Center Rezoning

In Stokes County, North Carolina, a controversial decision by county commissioners to rezone 1,844 acres for a massive data center project has sparked a lawsuit from local property owners and environmental groups. By a 3-2 vote in January, the Stokes County Commissioners approved a request from Engineered Land Solutions, overturning the local planning board's recommendation. The rezoned property abuts or includes farms, homes, and historic burial grounds for Native American and enslaved people. Plaintiffs, including residents Tim and Deborah Mabe, 7 Directions of Service, and CleanAIRE NC, allege the commission committed numerous procedural, factual, and legal errors. They contend the approval was based on "false or materially incomplete premises" regarding job creation, tax revenue, noise, and the protection of culturally sensitive areas. David Couch, a politically connected real estate mogul, is involved through his company DFC Stokes, which owns parcels for the project; one resident's property was reportedly rezoned without his permission. Opponents also voice concerns about environmental impact, including potential air pollution from natural gas generators and the project's proximity to the Dan River, though the developer stated a closed-loop water system would be used. Community members in Walnut Cove protested the decision, feeling their opposition was disregarded. The lawsuit, co-represented by the Southern Coalition for Social Justice and the Southern Environmental Law Center, aims to invalidate the rezoning, arguing that development must be conducted legally and with foresight.