Date center pause? Charlotte City Council sets date for public hearing on moratorium

The Charlotte City Council has reversed an earlier decision and voted to schedule a public hearing on a potential 150-day moratorium on new data center development. The hearing is set for May 26, with a vote potentially following on June 8. If approved, the moratorium would halt new construction while city staff work to establish regulations addressing concerns such as water usage, energy consumption, noise, and other environmental and community impacts. Residents, including Ahmid Kargbo, have actively protested data center expansion, citing rising energy costs and concerns that such developments are disproportionately located in economically distressed communities. Councilmember Dimple Ajmera echoed these sentiments, highlighting broader concerns about residents' quality of life, including noise, air quality, water usage, and traffic. Deputy City Manager Alyson Craig cautioned the council about potential limitations under state law, specifically Senate Bill 382, which restricts municipalities' authority over certain rezoning requests. Craig noted that while outright zoning changes and buffer requirements might be challenging, implementing requirements for water and energy conservation plans as part of applications could carry less risk, though not be entirely free of it. The city is seeking ways to address community concerns within the bounds of state regulations.