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Surry County schedules July 20 hearing to consider extending data‑center moratorium
Summary
After a Planning Board review, the county’s development director recommended and the commission instructed staff to notice a July 20 public hearing to consider extending the temporary moratorium on data centers beyond the initial 60 days, with the Planning Board suggesting 12–24 months for additional study.
The Surry County Board of Commissioners instructed county staff on June 15 to publish notice for a July 20 public hearing to consider extending the county’s temporary moratorium on data‑center development beyond the short‑form 60‑day period allowed under North Carolina General Statute 160D‑107.
Adrien Gardner, the county’s Development Services Director, reported that the Planning Board reviewed a draft text amendment to the development ordinance, discussed possible problems and state legislative activity on the issue, and requested additional time—12 to 24 months—to educate the board and perform due diligence before any long‑term local rules are adopted.
The board discussed options: staff may publish the current draft ordinance for Planning Board consideration and a July 20 hearing on the draft, or the board may notice a hearing specifically to consider extending the moratorium for a period greater than 60 days (members discussed one‑year and two‑year options). One motion recorded in the transcript was noted as "motion by Commissioner R." with a second by Commissioner Height; the board directed staff to proceed with a public hearing on July 20 where the length of any extension would be considered.
At the meeting county counsel cautioned that the board cannot use tonight’s meeting to "outlaw" data centers—local action must follow proper ordinance and statutory processes—and noted that pending activity in the North Carolina legislature could inform local work on a permanent ordinance.
The hearing scheduled for July 20 will provide an opportunity for public comment and for the Planning Board and development staff to present recommended ordinance language and a proposed time period for any moratorium extension. The board’s action was procedural—directing staff to notice the hearing; no final ordinance change or moratorium extension was adopted on June 15.
