Forsyth commissioners to discuss proposed data center moratorium, county official says
Forsyth County commissioners are slated to discuss a proposed moratorium on data centers, a move anticipated after a previous rezoning battle concerning a data center project in Rural Hall. The details of Commissioner Dan Besse's proposal, including its duration and scope, remain unknown. Residents previously opposed a data center project by The Drox Group due to concerns about noise and water consumption, leading to its rezoning denial.
Forsyth County commissioners are scheduled to discuss a proposed moratorium on data center development on Monday, Sept. 28, following a contentious rezoning fight this summer. Commissioner Dan Besse is expected to introduce the proposal during a county briefing, though details regarding its duration, scope, and affected approvals are not yet public.
The discussion comes after commissioners rejected a rezoning application from The Drox Group for a data center project on 129 acres near Rural Hall Town Hall. Residents had vocally opposed the project, citing concerns about noise, water consumption, and the facility's scale in a rural community. The rezoning was denied by a 5-2 vote on July 30, a victory for the community group No Data Center Rural Hall, which is now collecting signatures for a petition advocating for specific data center zoning definitions and standards.
County planners are also updating the Rural Hall Area Plan, a broader initiative that will guide future land use decisions in the area, including Rural Hall and parts of Winston-Salem. The proposed moratorium will be a temporary pause on development approvals, with its practical effects dependent on the language ultimately adopted by the commissioners.