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Surry County extends moratorium on large data centers for two years
Summary
The Surry County Board of Commissioners voted to extend a moratorium on new data centers larger than 60 days to two years, and directed staff to form an advisory steering committee and schedule actions to study impacts. A resident asked the county to improve public posting of hearings.
The Surry County Board of Commissioners voted to extend a moratorium on new data centers beyond the statutory 60-day period to two years, approving the measure by voice vote after a public hearing and legal briefing. County Attorney Howard Jones told the board the ordinance must include specific findings and a schedule of actions to address the conditions that led to the moratorium.
"D 4 says that we have to have, quote, a statement of the actions and schedule for those actions proposed to be taken by the local government during the duration of the moratorium to address the problems or conditions leading to an imposition of this moratorium," Jones said, urging the board to appoint a steering committee that will hold public meetings and report back. One resident, Deborah Gray, asked officials to clarify where hearing notices will be posted: "Is there a place that I can look regularly to find out about the public hearings and stuff?" The board approved the two-year extension and will return with the steering-committee membership and schedule required under state law.
