Bedford County committee refers one-year moratorium on large data centers to full commission

Chris Watts, the county planning director, told the committee the moratorium is "to give local government time to study the issue" and that it must include a clear expiration date.

The proposal — recommended unanimously by the planning commission — would pause approvals for large-scale data centers in unincorporated Bedford County for one year so staff can prepare development standards and seek public input. Watts said the moratorium is not meant to "outlaw" businesses but to create well-researched standards that mitigate negative environmental and property impacts.

Commission members raised several concerns during discussion. One commissioner cited constitutional constraints, saying the county cannot simply "ban any business whatsoever" and must watch for takings and due-process implications. Other members pressed on practical limits: how much water and power a large data center could require from the Duck River and local utilities, potential increases in noise, and whether infrastructure build-out costs would fall on ratepayers or developers.

Watts said the draft resolution includes clauses to capture uncommitted amounts of power at the Duck River Electric Cooperative and available water, and that staff will study what other jurisdictions have done. He also noted advances in cooling technology could alter water needs and that standards can be written to require developers to fully fund infrastructure build-out rather than shifting costs to local ratepayers.

After questions about whether a one-year term is enough time, Watts said one year is feasible and that, if more time is required, staff could return to the commission with a reasoned request for extension. A motion to send the moratorium resolution to the full commission was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.

The moratorium now moves to the full Bedford County Commission for consideration at a future meeting; the committee did not adopt final regulations or set an effective date beyond the referral.