Planning board again recommends denial of Stokes data center
The Stokes County planning board has again recommended denying a rezoning request for the Project Delta data center near Walnut Cove, citing community opposition and environmental concerns. County commissioners will make the final decision at a public hearing in September, after which the planning board outlined safeguards should the project proceed.
The Stokes County Planning Board has once again recommended against a rezoning request for "Project Delta," a proposed hyperscale data center near Walnut Cove. In a 5-2 vote on Thursday night, the board advised county commissioners to reject the proposal from developer Engineered Land Solutions.
The project has faced significant backlash from local residents, who have voiced concerns about potential environmental impacts. This marks the second time the planning board has recommended denial, following a similar recommendation in December 2025. Commissioners had previously approved the rezoning, citing economic benefits, but that decision was later voided, forcing the request back through the rezoning process.
Anticipating that commissioners might again override their recommendation, the planning board outlined a dozen potential safeguards. These include stipulations for the developer to prevent increases in electricity rates for residents, protect the Dan River from wastewater contamination, and ensure continuous air quality monitoring at the data center site. The Stokes County Commissioners are scheduled to hold a public hearing and make their final decision on September 8.