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Fayetteville council sends draft data‑center rules back to staff after heated public hearing
Summary
After a five‑hour meeting dominated by a packed public hearing, Fayetteville council asked staff to rework UDO text amendments for telecommunications and data storage and return with recommended changes and a special session on or before October. Residents and utilities clashed over water, noise and jobs.
City council members on Monday closed a marathon public hearing on Unified Development Ordinance text amendments for telecommunications and data storage (TA‑26‑01) and directed staff to return with a revised draft that folds in additional best practices and community input.
Planning staff presented the package as a set of targeted, impact‑based changes to the UDO: a new definition for telecommunications and data storage facilities, two principal‑use categories (baseline and energy‑center variants), use‑specific standards addressing residential edge protections, acoustical testing, generator setbacks, and parking/loading standards. "This text amendment 26‑01 is looking to create a clear, enforceable UDO framework for these telecommunications and data storage facilities," Planning presenter Harmon said during the staff presentation (S25).
The meeting’s public comment period drew sharply divided testimony. Supporters said data centers can reuse vacant industrial buildings, create high‑paying jobs and anchor new economic activity in Fayetteville. "Data centers are the future of our children and our grandchildren," said Azeem Lakhani (S27), who identified himself as a project manager with experience in construction and cybersecurity. Utility officials also spoke: Lamont Henson of Fayetteville PW&C (S31) told council that large‑load customers are evaluated for reliability and that the utility’s policy is not to raise residential rates to pay for a new customer’s service.
Opponents warned of environmental and health risks. "These massive data centers consume millions of gallons of water just to cool their servers," said Carol Olinger (S28), citing local drought and longstanding PFAS concerns. Others raised noise, generator emissions, and equity concerns about siting in predominantly Black neighborhoods.
Rather than adopt the amendments as presented, the council approved a motion by Councilmember Green (S14) asking staff to incorporate lessons from "15 best practices" (drawn from Loudoun County experiences), suggestions from energy and water experts, and the public testimony, and to return with recommendations at a special meeting on or before the end of October. The council also discussed conditional zoning, community‑benefit and development agreements, and where state law limits local authority on air permitting and utility regulation.
What happens next: Staff will draft a revised package that the planning and legal teams say can include tighter acoustic standards, additional disclosure and utility capacity confirmations, and clearer setback and appearance rules; some operational protections would be negotiated through conditional zoning or development agreements if a project applies. The council did not adopt a moratorium at the meeting.
