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Swain County adopts year-long moratorium on data centers; forms seven-member ad hoc committee
Summary
Facing broad public concern about large data centers, the Swain County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to pause permitting and development of data centers and similar high‑impact facilities for up to one year and to create a seven-member citizen ad hoc committee to guide ordinance drafting.
The Swain County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously April 21 to adopt a one‑year moratorium on permitting and approving data centers and other "high‑impact" facilities while the county drafts land‑use regulations.
Proponents framed the moratorium as a temporary pause to allow the county time to write rules that could limit where and how large data centers could be sited. Fred Crawford, a Whittier resident who said he researched existing facilities and met elected officials and utility representatives, told commissioners: "This moratorium is only a pause. The vote tonight does not stop a data center from coming to Swain County. It only gives the county time to create land development rules that can guide where this kind of project could go, if at all." He urged faster timelines and a citizen committee to help draft protections.
Multiple residents raised technical and environmental concerns during public comment. Celia Baker, who described a 33‑year background in information technology, urged commissioners to prioritize water‑usage and groundwater‑contamination protections, saying the draft she had seen was "very light on the topic of water usage, wastewater, contaminating groundwater, water recycling" and warned of lawsuits in other states tied to groundwater impacts.
Commissioners discussed procedural redlines to the draft language and the need for expert environmental review. The board agreed to form an ad hoc committee of seven residents to participate in drafting and review; the board said it will begin accepting applications immediately rather than waiting for the usual appointment cycle.
The motion to adopt the moratorium passed unanimously. County staff said the measure gives up to a year to draft and refine ordinances but can be shortened if regulations are ready sooner. The board did not adopt concrete regulatory language at the meeting; the moratorium instead sets a process and a deadline for drafting standards and for public engagement.
Next steps: the county will publish the moratorium ordinance text and open recruitment for the ad hoc committee; staff and the committee are expected to coordinate environmental, legal and utility reviews during the moratorium period.
