Asheville committee backs 1-year pause on data centers as city weighs regulations

Asheville's City Council Planning, Economic Development and Environment Committee has unanimously recommended a one-year moratorium on new data center applications. The decision, made on Tuesday, seeks to allow city staff to thoroughly study the potential impacts of the rapidly growing data center industry on local infrastructure, neighborhoods, and long-term planning goals.

Stephanie Dahl, Planning and Urban Design Director, highlighted that data centers are an emerging land use with heavy demands on electrical and water systems, also raising concerns about noise and land use compatibility. She stated that the city's Unified Development Ordinance currently lacks a definition for data centers, leaving a gap in policies to manage these impacts effectively.

While no data center applications have been submitted, the proposed moratorium aims to proactively address these issues before projects are proposed. City Attorney Brad Branham confirmed that North Carolina law permits temporary development moratoriums to address emerging land-use concerns, with a one-year period aligning with legal guidance.

The study process will involve reviewing regulations from other communities, consulting experts, evaluating infrastructure impacts, and gathering public input on topics such as electrical demand, water consumption, site design, and noise. Council members Sage Turner and Kim Roney voiced strong support, emphasizing the need to make informed decisions about land, energy, and infrastructure use, with Turner noting that large-scale data centers may not fit the city's housing and economic priorities. The proposal will move to the City Council for a public hearing and a final vote next week, with the moratorium taking immediate effect if approved.