Data center opponents seek formal discussion; issue absent from Monday agenda

Citizens in Lee County, North Carolina, are continuing their opposition to a proposed data center on Lower Moncure Road, despite their requests for formal discussions on a moratorium and development regulations being omitted from the upcoming Lee County Board of Commissioners meeting agenda. Opponents, including attorney Eric Evenson, write-in candidate Jonathan Boyce, and landowner Jeff Kidd, have expanded their strategy beyond public comments, submitting a citizen petition proposing changes to the county's data center regulations and a proposed resolution for a 180-day data center moratorium.

These formal requests, sent to commissioners on August 31, followed an earlier attempt in late July to have the issues placed on the August 17 agenda, which was also unsuccessful. The Board of Commissioners Chair, Samantha Martin, stated that the current Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) permits data centers in appropriate zoning districts with administrative review and approval, and that the board's agendas are for matters requiring action or information related to county business, emphasizing the need to follow procedural rules for all public members.

The citizens' efforts aim to amend the UDO and temporarily halt new data center proposals, recognizing that the Board of Commissioners has authority over development regulations, even if individual data center applications are subject to administrative staff review based on existing zoning. The Board is scheduled to meet on Monday, with a special closed session meeting also called for Friday, though the subject of the legal consultation remains undisclosed.