Neighbors, scientists and developers clash at Charlotte hearing over proposed moratorium on hyperscale data centers

Charlotte’s City Council heard more than three hours of public testimony Tuesday night on a proposed 150‑day moratorium on new hyperscale telecommunications and data‑storage facilities, with speakers sharply divided on the risks and benefits of the booming industry.

Residents and community groups asked the council to pause approvals while staff completes environmental and health impact studies and crafts stricter siting rules. “One facility in Moores Chapel will begin at 400 megawatts and grow to 750,” said Craig Reynolds, a data‑infrastructure consultant, urging the city to study modular alternatives. “Consider water consumption — that one facility could use 2 percent of Charlotte’s total water capacity,” he said.

Researchers and public‑health advocates described concentrated local harms. “The South has long been a backyard for industrial projects placed in Black and Brown neighborhoods,” said Tina Scholl, an associate professor at UNC Charlotte and co‑director of the Climate Inequality CLT project. She urged environmental‑justice screening and an environmental impact assessment to evaluate cumulative burdens in affected census tracts.

Speakers from neighborhood associations and advocacy groups highlighted local effects. “I live less than two miles from the 2.5‑million‑square‑foot data center,” said Antoinette Mingo, who provided the project number (2023‑030) and asked council to rescind past approvals made before the public understood the impacts. Gustavo Toro, representing parents in Amberwood, said placing a data center beside parks, schools and a nature preserve would harm nearby children and families.

Environmental and watershed advocates emphasized water and drought risks. “A 400‑megawatt facility may evaporate more water indirectly than directly; without transparency it’s impossible to forecast the industry’s future,” said Brandon Jones of Catawba Riverkeeper.

Public‑interest lawyers and environmental groups urged legal pathways for regulation. “Treat hyperscale centers as an emerging industrial use that should require a special‑use permit,” said Casey Moravec of the Southern Environmental Law Center, offering research and regulatory options to preserve public input.

Industry and development voices cautioned against hasty bans. “Data centers are becoming critical infrastructure for finance, health care and transportation,” said Colin Brown of the Alexander Ricks Firm; Bobby Joe Lazarus, representing NAIOP Charlotte, said the projects bring tax revenue and urged collaboration rather than a moratorium.

A cybersecurity expert and FBI operations veteran who described building and operating data centers told council that much of the demand reflects private AI compute needs, not essential public services. “Companies use generous tax incentives; Charlotte could be left with higher utility bills and little local benefit,” he said, urging a pause to examine incentives and protections.

Council did not vote on the moratorium at the meeting; staff will include the public record in its policy review. The hearing record and staff briefings will inform deliberations and any ordinance the council may consider in coming weeks.