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Public testimony splits council as dozens weigh in on data centers
Summary
Twelve speakers opposed and six supported the UDO amendments for data centers. Opponents focused on water, noise, emissions and equity; supporters stressed jobs, building reuse and national competitiveness. PwC said it would not raise residential rates to accommodate a large customer.
The council’s public hearing featured sharply divergent testimony from residents, energy experts, and utility staff. Clerk recorded 6 in favor and 12 opposed.
Supporters argued that data centers can repurpose vacant industrial buildings and bring high‑paying jobs. "This is a choice — Popeye's or AI," Azeem Lakhani (S27) told the council, urging Fayetteville to embrace technology and the jobs it brings.
Opponents raised public‑health and environmental concerns. "We are in the midst of a heat wave. We’re in a drought right now. These facilities, while they may promise jobs, are sacrificing our health," Carol Olinger said (S28). Other residents described heavy generator noise, the risk of increased potable water withdrawals and the unknown composition of wastewater discharge. Multiple speakers called for a moratorium or for stronger conditional zoning and binding community benefit agreements.
From the utility side, Lamont Henson for PwC (S31) said PwC’s rules require large customers to pay for the service they need and that the utility would not raise residential rates to subsidize a large‑load customer. "PwC cannot and will not raise residential or commercial customer rates to pay for services to support a data center or any other large load customer," Henson said.
Council members heard both sides and asked staff to fold community concerns into the draft UDO and consider how conditional zoning, operational agreements, and utility disclosures could be used if projects apply.
