Editor’s note: After publication of this story, commissioners removed discussion of the proposed data center ordinance from their meeting agenda for March 12. They will revisit the topic after the March 23 public forum, according to a county spokesperson.
The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners plans to review its proposed ordinance for data centers on Thursday, and then hold a public forum on data centers later in March.
The public can submit questions and comments in advance of the public forum on March 23 via an online portal. Member of the public that want to speak at the forum must register in advance online or do so in person within 15 minutes of the 6:30 p.m. start time.
The fast-growing data center industry has generated concern due to its vast appetite for electricity, its use of water for cooling its equipment, and other issues. Proposals for two data centers in Cumberland County have attracted attention.
County commissioners discussed the issue on February 19. And the Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation, the nonprofit agency that recruits industry to the county, held a forum about data centers in January.
Meanwhile, Fayetteville City Council is also considering regulations for data centers.
Meeting, Forum Details
Planning and Inspections Director Rawls Howard will give a comprehensive overview of the county’s proposed data center ordinance during the county commissioners’ meeting on Thursday, according to the agenda “The presentation will cover anticipated areas of concern and next steps in implementation,” Howard wrote in a memo to the board.
Thursday’s meeting starts at 1 p.m. in room 564 of the Cumberland County Courthouse at 117 Dick St. People unable to attend in person may watch online on the county’s website and its YouTube page. People with cable television service from Spectrum can watch on channel 5.
The data center forum later this month is “to receive community input regarding potential policy and zoning considerations related to data center development in Cumberland County,” according to a news release.
It starts at 6:30 p.m. on March 23 in room 118 of the Cumberland County Courthouse.
The commissioners want “to ensure residents have a focused opportunity to share questions, comments and concerns about how data center development should be guided through County policy and zoning frameworks,” according to the news release. “The meeting is intended to gather community input as the Board considers how future data center development may be addressed through County regulations.”
The forum, too, will be streamed on Cumberland County’s website and its YouTube channel, and on channel 5 on Spectrum cable TV.
Senior reporter Paul Woolverton can be reached at pwoolverton@cityviewnc.com.
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