Rowan County approves rezoning for 385‑acre Red Rock data‑center campus with noise‑study conditions

The Rowan County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 29 approved a zoning amendment (ZO9‑25) to allow a Red Rock Development data‑center campus on roughly 385 acres north and south of Long Ferry Road, east of I‑85 and west of Leonard Road. The board adopted a statement finding the request consistent with the East Area Land Use Plan and approved two conditions requiring a revised noise study with the final site plan prior to permitting and a completed noise study within 90 days of building operation.

The rezoned property includes seven tax parcels, owned in part by Carlton Fields LLC and by Jason Murdoch, and was previously rezoned in stages beginning about three years ago. Shane (planning staff) told commissioners the current concept plan shows up to 13 large rectangular principal buildings totaling up to 3.3 million square feet of principal‑structure floor area, ancillary buildings without a size cap, a proposed roughly 9‑acre electrical substation/switchyard, and perimeter screening. The plan commits to CBI (Community Business/Industrial) base setbacks with…