Charlotte City Council Considers Data Center Moratorium Amid Opposition
Charlotte City Council is considering a proposed 150-day moratorium on new data centers, fueled by public opposition and concerns over a specific 58-acre project by American Tower. Residents and activists voiced environmental, energy cost, and noise pollution concerns, prompting the council to schedule a vote on the moratorium.
The Charlotte City Council is actively considering a proposed 150-day moratorium on new data center developments in the city. This discussion follows a contentious public forum where dozens of residents and community leaders voiced strong opposition to the proliferation of data centers.
Driving the debate is a request by American Tower to build a 58-acre data center off Hood Road in east Charlotte. Opponents, including Rev. Janet Garner-Mullins of Advance Carolina and the West Boulevard Coalition, highlighted concerns about environmental impacts, increased energy costs, noise pollution, and the proximity of such facilities to Black and brown neighborhoods. Council member Dimple Ajmera emphasized the need for "guardrails" to protect the city and its residents, while Council member J.D. Mazuera-Arias also expressed concerns about accountability for communities and farmlands.
Ahead of the council meeting, groups like the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), the Poor People's Campaign, and the West Boulevard Neighborhood Coalition organized a rally against data centers, which was attended by council members Ajmera and Mazuera-Arias. While most speakers favored the moratorium, a few argued for the importance of data centers as essential technology infrastructure.
American Tower has delayed its zoning request for the Hood Road project until June 15. The Charlotte City Council is scheduled to vote on the proposed moratorium on June 8.