City-County Planning Board recommends denying rezoning for proposed Rural Hall data center after community opposition

Winston-Salem — The City-County Planning Board voted on June 11, 2026 to recommend denial of a rezoning request for a proposed large data center near Bethania‑Rural Hall Road, after lengthy public comment and board discussion about plan compatibility, noise and utility demands.

Rory Howard, presenting the staff report, described the petition (F‑1669) to rezone multiple parcels from RS20 and GI to LI‑S to allow a data center and related industrial uses. Mr. Murphy, a member of planning staff, told the board the applicant submitted a reuse narrative addressing adaptive reuse if the data center were later decommissioned and explained that state statute (N.C.G.S. Chapter 160D) limits the governing body’s ability to create new land‑use categories in a rezoning process. He also reviewed buffer requirements and read relevant provisions of the County noise ordinance into the record.

Developer representative Michael Foess responded to board questions about outdoor mechanical equipment locations, buffering and stormwater ponds, proposed building heights, cooling‑system testing cycles, lighting plans and potential noise impacts. Foess told the board that City‑County Utilities confirmed adequate system capacity for the project; the applicant’s reuse narrative was to be forwarded to the County Commissioners as part of their review.

Several residents and other members of the public spoke in opposition. Carol Newsome argued the proposal did not align with the Forward 2045 Comprehensive Plan, saying hyperscale data centers are inconsistent with the plan’s stated goals. James Woodard told the board the request conflicts with the Rural Hall Area Plan Update. Other commenters—Jonathan Kislingbury, Robin Smith, Charles Cession and Ulrike Wiethaus—raised concerns about incompatibility with the Unified Development Ordinances, noise impacts on nearby homes and worship services at the adjacent historic AME Zion chapel, and proximity to a nearby railroad and a butane facility.

Board members pressed staff and the applicant on concrete technical details. Ms. Schwab asked about projected water consumption; Foess said adequate capacity had been confirmed. Mr. Lambe asked how the cooling system would be tested; Foess described the schedule and procedures for testing. Mr. Murphy explained why the data‑center use was classified under the closest existing UDO category (Services, A) rather than as a newly created land use.

After testimony and discussion, the board first voted to expand public‑comment time for the case to 24 minutes per side. In the work session that followed, member Walter Farabee moved that the Planning Board find the rezoning request inconsistent with the comprehensive plan; Salvador Patiño seconded. The motion that the request was inconsistent passed unanimously. Farabee then moved to recommend denial of the zoning amendment; Patiño seconded. The board recommended denial by a 7–2 vote: Yes — Walter Farabee, Haley Gingles, Jason Grubbs, Salvador Patiño, Lindsey Schwab, Brenda Smith and Jack Steelman; No — Clarence Lambe and Dixon Pitt.

Chair Jason Grubbs reminded the room that the Planning Board’s recommendations are advisory and that final decisions rest with the City Council or Forsyth County Board of Commissioners. The denial recommendation and the applicant’s reuse narrative will be forwarded to the elected bodies for their consideration.

Votes at a glance - F‑1669 (Julia Wall et al.), rezoning to LI‑S for a proposed data center — Planning Board recommended denial (7–2). - W‑3686 (City of Winston‑Salem, Long Creek Village) — recommended approval (unanimous). - W‑3687 (Young Ki Kim) — recommended approval (unanimous). - W‑3688 (Luis David Vargas) — recommended approval (unanimous). - W‑3689 (Goldwater Holding, LLC / Eagle Properties) — recommended approval (unanimous). - W‑3690 (HHS Holdings, LLC) — recommended approval (unanimous). - SUP W‑3691 (Mosley, kennel enclosure) — recommended approval (unanimous). - SUP F‑1671 (Mecum, landfill LCID) — recommended approval (unanimous). - Multiple preliminary plat and Planning Board Review items (Silver Oak Preserve, The Crossing at North Ridge, Speas Acres, Jacob’s Hollow) — recommended approvals or noted withdrawals/continuances as recorded.

Why it matters The board’s finding of inconsistency centered on plan compatibility and neighborhood impacts. Opponents emphasized that Forward 2045 and the Rural Hall Area Plan Update discourage the proposed use at this location, and they raised concerns about noise, effects on nearby historic worship services, and industrial adjacency. Supporters and the applicant cited infrastructure capacity and potential economic benefits, while staff noted reuse measures and possible conditions that an elected body could attach if approving the rezoning.

What happens next The Planning Board’s recommendation and the record, including the applicant’s reuse narrative, will be forwarded to the City Council or the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners (depending on parcel jurisdiction) for public hearings and a final decision. The board’s action does not by itself change zoning; it is advisory.