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Residents urge Stokes County to block proposed data center, call for moratorium and special meeting
Summary
Several residents told the Board of Commissioners they oppose a proposed mega data center near Walnut Cove, citing water, air and noise concerns; speakers urged a moratorium, independent studies and a special, dedicated meeting to separate zoning decisions from later approvals.
Several residents urged the Stokes County Board of Commissioners to halt plans for a proposed mega data center near Walnut Cove, citing groundwater, air quality and community-character concerns and asking the board to use its zoning authority to slow or stop the project.
Tim May told the board that under current law large data centers receive sales and use tax exemptions on construction materials, HVAC equipment, computer hardware and electricity and said that gives wealthy developers an unfair advantage. “Why do the richest people in the world not have to pay taxes like the corner hardware store?” he asked.
Bertram Bonnie, who identified himself as a registered parliamentarian, urged the commissioners to follow their rules of procedure and called for a special four- to six-hour meeting to consider zoning for the project before any subsequent approvals. He recommended separating the zoning decision from later approvals so the board can limit debate, hear opponents and proponents in an orderly way, and invite Walnut Cove representatives to testify.
Other residents described local impacts they fear. Joyce Slate, who said her house is about a mile from the proposed site, raised concerns about wells and Duke Power’s record with coal ash and asked the board to enact a moratorium while it studies national experience with data centers. Lou Novak said the project could harm tourism, property values and rural character and cautioned that developer revenue estimates discussed at earlier meetings had been reduced from $40 million to about $20 million, stressing that promises should be in writing.
Speakers repeatedly urged independent studies of water and air impacts, written commitments from developers, and process protections such as separate hearings on zoning and project approvals. Commissioners thanked residents for speaking and emphasized they wanted the process to be civil and fact-based as they consider next steps.
The transcript records extended public comment and procedural suggestions but does not include a formal zoning decision or a vote on the proposal.
