Matthews reopens public hearing on data center rezoning after residents raise noise, water and traffic concerns

The Town of Matthews Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Sept. 22 to reopen the public hearing on zoning application 2025-815, also described in the meeting as "Project Accelerate," and continue the hearing to Oct. 13 so residents can present additional comments.

The action follows two weeks of public input and a packed public comment period at the Sept. 22 meeting in which residents and local experts raised questions about noise, water use, air emissions, traffic and the long-term local benefits of the proposed data center.

Mayor John F. Higdon said the board added the continuation so more people could speak. "Anyone that's here tonight may speak on this rezoning during public comment if you wish or at the October 13 continuation if that's if that's approved," Higdon said during the meeting.

The hearing reopening was prompted in part by residents who said they learned of the rezoning only recently. "I will reiterate it was quite surprising to get this data center news over the past couple of weeks," said Jennifer Lynch during public comment. Lynch and other residents told commissioners they felt neighborhood notification had been inadequate and that they wanted more time to review technical materials.

Speakers asked the town for more information from the applicant and from utilities. Commissioner John Urban said the board has requested additional detail from Duke Energy and the developer and that commissioners were still "doing our homework." "We're still examining the pros and cons," Urban said, adding the board had heard a presentation from the developer but had not made a decision.

Several commenters and technical experts raised specific concerns: - Noise: Retired audiologist Sharon Campbell urged the board to confirm where developers measured sound levels and whether measurements included low-frequency (dBC) metrics that can cause a pervasive low humming residents say can be felt in the chest. Campbell said many data centers produce low-frequency sound that may exceed limits measured only in dBA. - Water use and cooling: Campbell and others said they wanted clarity on water sourcing and whether Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities has capacity; the town manager reported the applicant described a "closed loop" cooling system and estimated the facility would be supplied with an initial million gallons and use about 10,000 gallons per day in recirculation. - Power and distribution: Commenters and attendees referenced large power requirements. Resident Jim Arzinski cited a figure of about 600 megawatts mentioned in the meeting and warned that the local substation would likely need upgrades; the board said it has asked Duke Energy for information about impacts on the grid and household rates. - Environmental and health impacts: Several speakers, including Dr. Jessica Borshock, raised potential mental-health and broader environmental concerns tied to prolonged noise exposure and emissions from diesel backup generators. - Economic trade-offs: Multiple residents said the 123-acre site could be used for other developments (residential, mixed-use or parks) that might deliver different long-term community benefits. Residents asked for clearer analysis of long-term job creation versus construction-phase economic activity.

The town manager and staff told commissioners the developer has agreed to hold a community meeting on the project Oct. 2 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Matthews Town Hall and said the applicant would return to the board for the Oct. 13 continuation. Commissioners encouraged residents to attend the Oct. 2 session and said the board is requesting additional technical details from the applicant and Duke Energy before making a decision.

No final vote on the rezoning occurred Sept. 22. The board's action was limited to reopening and continuing the public hearing so additional testimony and information can be presented at the Oct. 13 meeting.

The record of the meeting shows the board acted to add the continued hearing to the agenda and then to reopen the hearing and continue it to Oct. 13.

Residents who requested materials and technical responses urged the board to require written guarantees if the developer later sought to modify cooling or water systems, and several asked the board to obtain enforceable commitments about backup power, hazardous-waste disposal and tree-canopy preservation.

The data center rezoning and the Oct. 2 community meeting are expected to be the primary opportunities for residents to question the applicant and for the board to gather technical reports before any final action is taken.