New Hanover County Weighs Data Center Oversight Changes
County leaders question current rules for large data centers, citing power and water strains.
Key points
- New Hanover County is reviewing data center rules due to AI demand.
- Current laws allow large projects to bypass public hearings.
- Staff will study options to give commissioners more oversight.
New Hanover County commissioners are reviewing how local rules handle large data centers. This follows rising demand for artificial intelligence and cloud computing in North Carolina.
The board held a work session to check if existing laws manage these projects well. They took no formal vote but signaled a need for more oversight.
Current rules allow broad approval
Since 2020, county rules classify data centers as industrial use. This allows them in four zoning districts without public hearings.
Projects can get administrative approval from staff alone. This applies to both small server rooms and huge computing campuses.
Concerns over local resource limits
Commissioners worry about power grid demands, water use, and noise. They note the county is small and densely populated.
One commissioner said they do not want their hands tied by staff-only processes. They want elected leaders to have a say in major approvals.
Staff explore policy alternatives
Staff noted that developers could buy and demolish existing buildings to gain land. Neighboring areas have paused such projects to review policies.
Planning staff will study options like ending automatic approvals. They will also draft standards for noise and resource protection.
The county cannot simply ban all large data centers. They must balance community protections with the needs of local employers.
