Yadkin County to hold hearing on data center moratorium
Yadkin County will hold a public hearing on a potential 12-month data center moratorium to allow time to research and update zoning regulations. This comes amidst growing community concerns over data center resource consumption and follows similar actions in nearby counties. Developer Drew Nations of Engineered Land Solutions has refiled a zoning petition for Project Delta in Stokes County after a moratorium there was rejected.
Yadkin County's Board of Commissioners plans to hold a public hearing on August 17 to discuss a potential 12-month moratorium on data center development. The proposed pause aims to provide the county with time to research and potentially update its zoning regulations, addressing concerns about data centers' significant resource needs, particularly for water and electricity.
The discussion in Yadkin County reflects a broader trend, with other communities in the region also considering or enacting similar measures. Nearby Stokes County recently voted against a data center moratorium, despite a recommendation from its Planning Board, after vocal opposition from residents regarding a proposed 1,848-acre project known as Project Delta. In the wake of this decision, the developer, Drew Nations of Engineered Land Solutions, has refiled a zoning petition for Project Delta, emphasizing the potential for $40 million in annual tax revenue and hundreds of jobs.
Meanwhile, Surry County and the city of Mount Airy have both approved moratoriums on data centers, though county economic leaders note a lack of suitable infrastructure for large data centers in their area. Yadkin County Manager Michael Silverman indicated that the county is being proactive in considering data centers as part of an ongoing land use plan update, especially given the lack of current power and water infrastructure in unincorporated areas.