Farmville adopts 12‑month moratorium on data‑center applications after public hearing

The Farmville Town Board voted to adopt an ordinance establishing a 12‑month moratorium on the acceptance, processing and approval of development applications for data centers and related uses.

Town manager Oakes told the board the moratorium "would be in effect for 12 months from the date it's issued" and would give staff time "to review ordinance language and to develop ordinances and standards that may best address the unique land‑use, infrastructure, environmental and operational characteristics of data center development." The moratorium was described in the meeting packet as invoking North Carolina General Statute 160D‑107 and 160D‑601 to hold a legislative public hearing.

During the hearing multiple residents urged caution. Jamie Markham said the pause was necessary "to conduct independent environmental impact studies, take a look at our current zoning laws, and ensure that our residents... are the priority." Cheryl Patterson urged the board to require up‑front funding for decommissioning, saying, "What happens when data centers go bust?" and recommending that developers post funds to pay for dismantling and remediation.

Town manager Oakes clarified that no applications or permits had been submitted to the town at the time of the hearing; the moratorium is a proactive step to prevent the town from accepting any such applications while staff drafts regulations. After questions about possible extension length and risk of litigation, the board moved and adopted the moratorium by voice vote.

The moratorium directs staff to prepare ordinance language, design a process for community input and consider environmental and infrastructure safeguards; the board may revisit the moratorium before the 12 months end if work is complete or extend it with a stated justification.