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 specific additional setbacks: a 100‑foot committed setback along the northern and western property lines and a 50‑foot committed setback for the substation.

Todd Ward, representative of Red Rock Developments, said the company pivoted toward data centers after consultations with Duke Energy and market interest. "According to Duke, in our research, it was a great location for a data center campus," Ward said, adding that improvements in cooling technology have reduced noise compared with centers built 10–15 years ago and that Red Rock will comply with the county noise ordinance.

Austin Watts, an engineer with Kimley‑Horn, said the site layout is driven by topography and by stream buffers on the property: "There's only so much room that we can put it," he said, noting the substation location follows Duke Energy's guidance and that utilities and underground ductwork will be extensive. Watts also said initial construction would likely build about eight buildings in a first phase and that substantial earthmoving and off‑site utility work will be required.

Planning staff noted the site plan is a concept; the board and staff explained final building count, orientation, and some access details may change as tenants and technologies evolve. The planning board recommended approval with two conditions: (1) submit a revised noise study with the final site plan prior to permitting, and (2) submit a completed noise study within 90 days of operation to confirm compliance with the county noise ordinance.

Michael Julian, identified at the meeting as vice chair of the county planning board and speaking as a resident, asked for oversight of post‑approval site‑plan changes. "I think there needs to be a little bit of oversight, even if it's just from staff having to sign off on it, if they need to make a change," Julian said during public comment.

Shane (planning staff) told the board that staff will review final site plans and that the county retains review authority for details such as building orientation and driveway access; DOT will review and permit driveway connections and may require TIA updates. Shane also referenced two traffic impact analyses (TIAs): an earlier TIA tied to a larger plan that projected about 11,000 daily trips and a more recent DOT‑reviewed study showing about 1,841 trips for the revised concept. Staff said any required TIA updates will be determined by DOT when a final plan is submitted.

The board explicitly adopted a statement of reasonableness and consistency with the East Area Land Use Plan before voting to approve ZO9‑25. Commissioners then voted to approve the rezoning with the two noise‑study conditions and the other commitments shown on the site plan. Commissioners and attendees praised the size of the potential investment and the potential local tax and employment impacts; county staff and developers said additional permitting, Duke Energy coordination for the substation and power delivery, and DOT approvals will be required before construction.

The developer indicated it hopes to know final tenant commitments by the end of the year; the board and staff said further technical reviews, permits and construction sequencing will follow county and state processes.