Alamance County to hold public hearing on proposed moratorium for large data centers

Alamance County commissioners on Monday directed the county attorney to draft an ordinance to consider a moratorium on large data centers and agreed to publish the required 10‑day notice for a public hearing at the August evening meeting.

The move followed nearly two hours of public comment and commissioner discussion about water consumption, energy needs, noise and tax revenue. "We really should be moving forward right now with countywide zoning, and specifically a moratorium on data centers," said Sean Ewing, a member of the Mebane City Council, who urged the board not to delay action until after the election.

County attorney (county attorney) explained the process for a moratorium under North Carolina law and said the board must publish a 10‑day notice and hold a public hearing before it could adopt any moratorium. "We didn't do that for this evening," the attorney said, framing Monday's discussion as an opportunity to hear pros and cons and give direction to staff.

Commissioners and planning staff emphasized the need for precise definitions. "One data center is not the same as another," Commissioner (Committee member) said, urging clear definitions and that the board examine distinctions between smaller server facilities and "hyper huge" AI centers. Planning staff noted data centers are already included in the proposed Unified Development Ordinance under heavy industrial (class 2) rules with buffers and certain restrictions.

Speakers representing community and environmental groups warned of risks to groundwater during an ongoing drought. Emily Sutton, Haw River Keeper and executive director of Haw River Assembly, recalled work on PFAS contamination in Swepsonville and said the county must protect drinking sources: "those communities cannot drink their water." Residents and speakers living near proposed developments also cited reports of heavy truck traffic and potential long‑term impacts on wells.

Other commissioners noted potential benefits, including predictable tax revenue and grid upgrades that some large facilities pay for upfront. Planning board members and county staff recommended collecting current technical data — on water use, noise mitigation and modern cooling technologies — before finalizing restrictions.

The board agreed to have the county attorney draft a proposed moratorium ordinance, circulate it to commissioners for review, and notice a public hearing at the evening meeting on Aug. 17 so residents can comment. No moratorium was adopted Monday; the vote scheduled is for consideration after the public hearing and any revisions.

The county attorney said the draft moratorium and definitions would be circulated to commissioners and that the planning board could be invited to present its work at the hearing. The hearing will be noticed publicly in advance and is intended to give residents and stakeholders a formal opportunity to testify.