Ahead of Monday’s Charlotte City Council meeting, Action NC is calling for stronger regulations and more public input on a proposed data center.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. โ Opposition is growing in east Charlotteย ahead of a city council discussion Monday on a proposed data center project, with residents and advocacy groups urging leaders to strengthen regulations and increase community input before approving additional developments.
Some neighbors near the proposed site say they are concerned about the projectโs impact on surrounding communities and believe it should be located farther from residential areas.
โI just donโt think itโs a good idea,โ Rob Hudson, who lives near the proposed location, said. โFind an open field away from the neighborhoods so it doesnโt affect the community and kids.โ
Action NC, a political advocacy group, said Charlotte already has about 40 data centers and argued the city lacks clear local rules governing how much water and energy those facilities can use.ย
Robert Dawkins, political director for Action NC, said the group wants the city to consider stronger regulations and a temporary moratorium on new data center projects.
โRight now we are at 40 data centers, and out of those 40, there is no regulation on their water use, which we believe is going to be a major issue here,โ Dawkins said.
Dawkins said the group is not opposed to data centers but wants leaders to address potential environmental impacts and rising energy costs before allowing more development.
โWeโre not anti-data center,โ Dawkins said. โWeโre anti- the impact they are doing. Before you keep adding them, you need to pause and figure out where you are on regulating them.โ
Councilmember Malcolm Graham said the issue is moving into a more formal stage, and that data centers are expected to appear on the agenda Monday for the first time. Graham said the discussion could lead to a public hearing, which could open the door to broader conversations about a possible moratorium.
โI think itโs really important,โ Graham said. โGetting information from our staff is a critical first step, and Iโm pretty sure thatโs going to lead to getting the public involved with a public hearing that might lead to a moratorium.โ
In addition to the proposed data center discussion, Mondayโs agenda also includes the controversial I-77 toll lanes project and a public hearing on the cityโs proposed budget.ย
Action NC said it plans to attend the meeting and speak during public comment.
Charlotte City Council meetings are held at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center at 600 E. Fourth Street, Charlotte, NC. The meeting will begin at 5 p.m.
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