City HallFriday, November 6
Fayetteville tightens data center rules, but the moratorium hearing date is still not set
The Today in Fayetteville team
If you live near a warehouse that could become a data center, the rules are changing. City Council adopted a revised Unified Development Ordinance amendment on Oct. 26, and a city media release says it requires conditional rezoning when a data center is proposed as a warehouse storage use.
The amendment makes three major changes for data centers
| Change | What it does |
|---|---|
| Stricter rezoning | Conditional rezoning, with Council review |
| Clearer definitions | Large data centers set apart from offices |
| Closer utility review | Power, water and wastewater framework |
Source: CBS 17
Residents say it isn't enough. Fayetteville resident Michael McGuinness says neighbors still worry about noise, light pollution and the strain on the city's water system.
“We've been out in force for months asking for this moratorium. City council has essentially ignored the wishes of the people.”
Council moved on data centers over two weeks
- Oct. 19Council voted to schedule a public hearing on a proposed data center moratorium ordinance.
- Oct. 26Council adopted the revised UDO amendment covering data centers.
- Nov. 2The city published a media release on the amendment.
Sources: CBS 17, foxy99.com
- Hearing date: not set yet
- Takes effect: on the hearing date, after the hearing takes place
- More info: FayettevilleNC.gov/UDOAmendments
The city says staff, planners and attorneys spent months on the amendment, visiting data centers of different sizes and gathering community feedback.
Sources: CBS 17, foxy99.com