STATESVILLE – The City Council unanimously enacted a 180-day moratorium on accepting, processing or approving new data center applications, temporarily pausing new proposals while local development rules are reviewed.
Council approved the ordinance on second reading Sept. 14, and the moratorium took effect that day, according to WBTV. Previously approved data centers are not affected.
The measure grew from an original 150-day proposal. During an Aug. 10 public hearing, 15 people spoke in support of a pause, and council members amended the proposal to 180 days before unanimously approving its first reading.
Statesville says the temporary period will allow city staff to review its Unified Development Code and develop recommendations for future data center regulation. The work is expected to examine zoning districts, definitions, development standards, public-input requirements and whether proposals should receive additional legislative review instead of being permitted by right.
The city describes the moratorium as a temporary planning tool rather than a permanent ban. Its public guidance says North Carolina law allows cities to regulate where and how development occurs but does not allow a municipality to prohibit a land use indefinitely.
Data center development has become a larger business and infrastructure issue because the projects can require substantial water and electrical resources. WBTV reported that Charlotte and Waxhaw have also adopted moratoriums as local governments reconsider their rules.
The action changes the near-term regulatory path for any new data center proposal in the city while officials complete their review; it does not change approvals already granted.