Raleigh City Council adopted a six-month data center moratorium at our October 6th meeting. The purpose is to evaluate the impacts of larger-scale data center development on utilities, environmental resources, neighborhoods, and zoning while planning staff prepares new regulations to address impacts. We can not outright ban data centers, just like we can’t ban vape shops or strip clubs. Rather, we are updating our evaluation protocols to fully vet potential impacts and ensure the appropriate safeguards are in place for siting decisions. Currently data centers must operate in industrial zoned areas AND receive approval from the City’s Board of Adjustment. Next steps are the following:
- November 16 – Draft Text Amendments will be on portal for public comment
- December 8 and January 12 – Planning Commission Meeting to review
- February 3 – Report of Planning Commission to Council
- March 2 – Public hearing
- April 6 – Council takes action on draft text amendments; moratorium ends
Please stay involved and provide your input via the text portal, at public comment, or reach out to me directly. Find more information HERE.
Note: A data center expansion proposal in West Raleigh was received just prior to the moratorium; thus, its application operates under existing rules. This existing data center on Chapel Hill Rd proposes to go from 11,000 sq ft to ~35,000 sq ft and from 5 megawatts to 8 megawatts in power needs. There is no additional water request or electrical improvements needed. Because this data center is pre-existing, they have the right to move forward with expansion after review by the City’s planning department. This data center is not adjacent to a residential neighborhood.