Southport Planning Board seeks 15-month data center pause while zoning rules are built
The Southport Planning Board unanimously voted to recommend a 15-month moratorium on data center applications to the Board of Aldermen. This pause would allow the city time to develop a comprehensive zoning framework and specific regulations for data centers.
Southport's Planning Board unanimously voted to recommend a 15-month moratorium on data center applications to the city's Board of Aldermen. If approved, this pause would prevent the city from accepting or approving any new data center applications within that timeframe.
During this proposed moratorium, Planning Board members will continue to work on a new zoning framework for data centers. The rules under consideration include requirements such as data centers being located at least 1,000 feet away from schools, homes, and parks. The board emphasized the importance of being proactive in developing effective zoning regulations.
The proposed regulations are being modeled on those implemented in other North Carolina municipalities, including Leland, Shallotte, and Apex. The recommendation for the moratorium is not yet finalized; it requires a vote from the Board of Aldermen to be officially enacted.