Public raises alarm about data centers; council and attorney outline regulatory options

Multiple speakers at the Aug. 6 meeting raised concerns about the possible siting of large data centers in the region. Mark Manning, a Creedmoor resident who spoke during public comment, warned of surveillance and social risks he associated with large-scale AI data centers: "This control grid will include a biometric digital ID for every citizen," he said during his remarks.

During later council discussion, the town attorney explained the legal path and constraints for locating data centers in the county: "The text amendment that was passed required 2 rezonings before a data center could be located in the county," the attorney said, noting that spot‑zoning analysis, industrial‑zoning requirements and infrastructure (municipal water and sewer) limits make siting in remote unincorporated areas difficult. Staff and council emphasized that the town does not yet have any permits or applications on file and that the planning board will begin work on local LDO changes to address data‑center definitions and standards under a moratorium currently in effect.

Councilmembers discussed the need to balance potential economic development benefits with concerns about water use, wastewater discharges, noise and chemical use for cooling, and said they will continue work through the planning board to develop a regulatory framework intended to be legally defensible if a proposal arises.