Company behind controversial new data center in east Charlotte pushes back public hearing

East Charlotte residents had prepared to voice their strong opposition at a public hearing regarding a rezoning petition for a new data center. However, the rezoning petitioner, American Towers, has now requested that the Charlotte City Council postpone its decision. Facing considerable public backlash and a petition against the request that has garnered over 4,000 signatures, American Towers sought a deferral of the public hearing until May 18. A city official indicated that the company requested the additional time to engage with the community regarding their concerns. American Towers currently operates a wireless communications tower and a small data storage facility on a 58-acre site near the Reedy Creek Nature Preserve. Their proposal involves expanding these operations by constructing a new data center intended to lease server space to small- to medium-sized businesses. East Charlotte resident Jeffrey Chen, who helped organize the petition, stated that if residents don't want the project in their neighborhood, it shouldn't be built. Despite the hearing's deferral, the Charlotte Party for Socialism and Liberation still plans to organize community members at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center.