Sanford approves data center regulations

The Sanford Council, after a nearly five-hour meeting, voted 6-1 to approve new zoning regulations specifically for data centers. This decision follows Lee County commissioners' approval of the same regulations, which were modeled after those in Loudoun County, Virginia, and Phoenix and Marana, Arizona. A key point of contention during the discussion was the daily fine for noise violations, which was set at $100 after being lowered from a proposed $10,000. Councilmembers Linda Rhodes and Walter Ferguson expressed objections to the reduction, while city attorney Susan Patterson and community development director Marshall Downey defended the $100 fine as common for zoning violations in North Carolina. Public comment included resident Giuseppe Ghironzi advocating for an outright ban on data centers, while Eric Evanson, who had previously opposed the Unified Development Ordinance regulations, expressed gratitude that the city was "ahead of the game." Concerns about the East Coast power grid's capacity were also raised. Sanford Mayor Rebecca Salmon voiced frustration over the $100 fine and plans to discuss it with the North Carolina General Assembly. The regulations, which went into effect immediately, are expected by Councilman Charles Taylor to be adopted by other North Carolina entities. Meanwhile, nearby Rowan County had approved a one-year moratorium on data centers, and Chatham County previously enacted a one-year moratorium on data centers and cryptocurrency mining.