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Gates County schedules public hearing on data centers after manager flags tier ranking
Summary
County Manager Scott Sauer said Gates County remains a tier 2 county under N.C. Department of Commerce designations and announced a Dec. 17 public hearing to solicit input on data centers and a possible temporary moratorium; the planning board will take up related items at its next meeting.
County Manager Scott Sauer told the Gates County Board of Commissioners that the North Carolina Department of Commerce has issued county tier designations and that Gates County remains a tier 2 county — a classification Sauer said commissioners should discuss with legislators when seeking grant and economic-development support.
Sauer also announced a public hearing set for Dec. 17 to gather public input related to data centers that have expressed interest in the county and said the hearing notice was worded to allow consideration of a potential temporary moratorium. ‘‘That’s not to predict or presuppose the governing body’s action, but just to lay it out there so that folks can consider coming out sharing their thoughts,’’ Sauer said.
He asked commissioners to consider the limits of a tiered, statistical designation and urged them to ensure legislative conversations reflect local context. Sauer said the planning board would meet the next day at 3 p.m. and that, if needed, the data-center matter would come before the Board of Commissioners after planning review.
Sauer also told the board he is scheduled for rotator cuff surgery on Dec. 19 and that Assistant Manager Warren Perry will help guide operations during a brief absence.
The announcement puts data-center interest on the county’s near-term agenda and creates a scheduled public forum for residents to express support, opposition or concerns about development and potential temporary land-use controls.
