Swain commissioners approve public hearing on one‑year moratorium for high‑impact facilities

The Swain County Board of Commissioners agreed during a March 3 work session to hold a public hearing on March 17 to begin a one‑year moratorium process that would pause permitting for so‑called high‑impact facilities while the county develops a local ordinance and plan of action.

County attorney Kim (surname not provided in the session) prepared draft language and an accompanying plan of action that outlines a phased schedule: months 1–6 for county‑specific studies, stakeholder outreach and appointments to any advisory group; months 6–12 for public workshops, ordinance drafting and review. The proposed moratorium is intended to give the county time to assess potential impacts of large facilities — the presentation named data centers and cryptocurrency facilities as examples — and to consult utility providers and neighboring counties.

Bobby Jones moved to schedule a public hearing for the moratorium before the regular session on March 17; a board member seconded the motion and the board voted to proceed. Commissioners discussed reviewing neighboring counties’ approaches but emphasized the need for Swain‑specific studies and for public input before any final ordinance is adopted. The draft moratorium would require the county to advertise a public hearing (two‑week notice) and would bring any final ordinance back to the commissioners for a vote after the study and workshop period.

The board did not adopt a final moratorium ordinance during the work session; it instead directed staff to proceed with the public‑hearing schedule and the planning steps outlined in the attorney’s draft.

What happens next: the board will host the public hearing on March 17 and then proceed with the study and public‑engagement steps in the draft plan, after which commissioners will consider ordinance language for a potential future vote.