Beaufort County committee votes unanimously to draft moratorium and parallel ordinances on data centers

The Beaufort County Natural Resources Committee voted unanimously to direct county staff to draft a moratorium ordinance and a parallel ordinance package enabling council to choose heavy regulation or a full ban for data centers.

A committee member moved that the administration prepare both the moratorium and the regulatory/ban ordinance; the motion was seconded and, after discussion about timelines and possible lengths (6, 9 or 12 months), the chair called the vote and declared it unanimous. "It is unanimous," the chair said at the roll call.

Members discussed an expedited path that could use the planning commission’s October meeting and a special Natural Resources Committee meeting to achieve a moratorium in effect while the ordinance work continues. Staff noted the municipal association’s guidance that a moratorium of 6–12 months is “reasonable,” and some members recommended 9 months to cover the legislative session window.

Next steps: staff will draft the moratorium language and an ordinance options package, coordinate with planning commission scheduling, and return with materials for committee and council consideration.