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Orange County adopts one‑year moratorium on large‑scale data centers
Summary
After a public hearing, the Orange County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to impose a one‑year moratorium on large‑scale data centers while staff develops Unified Development Ordinance definitions and regulations and the Planning Board conducts review under state statute.
The Orange County Board of Commissioners on April 21 unanimously adopted an ordinance imposing a one‑year moratorium on large‑scale data centers, including artificial intelligence data centers and cryptocurrency mining facilities, while staff drafts Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) amendments and the Planning Board carries out its review.
The moratorium follows a staff presentation and legal briefing that cited the county’s limited piped water infrastructure and potential impacts data centers can have on electricity demand, water use and land‑use compatibility. County Attorney John Roberts told the Board he was not aware of any existing large‑scale data centers inside Orange County and said any UDO amendments would be a multi‑month process requiring Planning Board recommendations.
Members of the public urged the Board to pause approvals for such facilities. Laura Love noted other North Carolina jurisdictions that have adopted moratoria and cautioned that technology‑industry promises can become obsolete. Abby Parcell told commissioners governments should resist industry pressure and evaluate impacts on labor, land and utilities. Another commenter warned that claims about closed‑loop cooling may be misleading.
Vice‑Chair Amy Fowler moved to adopt the ordinance; Commissioner Marilyn Carter seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously to approve the moratorium. The ordinance cites North Carolina General Statute 160D‑107, which allows temporary moratoria where the duration is reasonable to address specific conditions.
County staff was directed to draft UDO amendments that would define and regulate “large‑scale” data centers for Planning Board consideration. The Board’s action pauses permitting and approvals for the covered uses for up to one year, the staff said, while investigations and draft regulations proceed. The Board did not adopt any changes to tax policy or incentives at the meeting.
