PAUSE FORSYTH
The Issue
Forsyth County needs rules before the next data center application.
A hyperscale data center can draw 10 megawatts of power or more, use huge amounts of water, and run backup generators and substations. Forsyth County's zoning was never written for anything like that. Our ordinance still treats data centers as ordinary commercial services, allowed in many districts that are completely unsuited to industrial operations of this size.
County staff say there may be multiple sites of interest, and multiple developers exploring them. Under today's rules, the county has very little power to set conditions.
What we're asking for
A temporary moratorium on new large-scale data center approvals (10 MW and up) while the county studies the issue and writes proper standards. It is not a ban, and it ends on a fixed date. The county would be required to:
Within 60 days: inventory existing rules and identify the gaps.
Within 90 days: consult utilities, emergency services, and neighboring governments on power, water, noise and road impacts.
Within 120 days: present regulatory options to the Planning Board and Commissioners.
Before the pause ends: vote on new standards.
"Won't the county get sued?"
That is the County Attorney's worry, and it comes from Chatham County. There, the developer argued its project was already in progress when the moratorium passed, and the judge agreed. The fix is to protect projects already underway.
The Alamance County ordinance does that. It does not apply to existing data centers, projects with a valid building permit, projects with an approved vested plan, applications already accepted as complete, or projects where the developer has spent money in good-faith reliance on a prior approval. It also excludes ordinary server rooms in offices, schools, hospitals and businesses.
And we're not first. At least 30 local governments across North Carolina have passed data center moratoria in recent months, including neighbors like Surry County, which unanimously approved a 24-month pause, and Alamance County, which adopted a one-year moratorium. We have found only one lawsuit, in Chatham.
Why your signature matters
Commissioners have been hearing mostly legal warnings. They need to hear from voters. Every signature shows that Forsyth residents want the county to get ahead of this.
Forsyth County residents only, please. Signatures will be delivered with your name and ZIP code.
21
The Issue
Forsyth County needs rules before the next data center application.
A hyperscale data center can draw 10 megawatts of power or more, use huge amounts of water, and run backup generators and substations. Forsyth County's zoning was never written for anything like that. Our ordinance still treats data centers as ordinary commercial services, allowed in many districts that are completely unsuited to industrial operations of this size.
County staff say there may be multiple sites of interest, and multiple developers exploring them. Under today's rules, the county has very little power to set conditions.
What we're asking for
A temporary moratorium on new large-scale data center approvals (10 MW and up) while the county studies the issue and writes proper standards. It is not a ban, and it ends on a fixed date. The county would be required to:
Within 60 days: inventory existing rules and identify the gaps.
Within 90 days: consult utilities, emergency services, and neighboring governments on power, water, noise and road impacts.
Within 120 days: present regulatory options to the Planning Board and Commissioners.
Before the pause ends: vote on new standards.
"Won't the county get sued?"
That is the County Attorney's worry, and it comes from Chatham County. There, the developer argued its project was already in progress when the moratorium passed, and the judge agreed. The fix is to protect projects already underway.
The Alamance County ordinance does that. It does not apply to existing data centers, projects with a valid building permit, projects with an approved vested plan, applications already accepted as complete, or projects where the developer has spent money in good-faith reliance on a prior approval. It also excludes ordinary server rooms in offices, schools, hospitals and businesses.
And we're not first. At least 30 local governments across North Carolina have passed data center moratoria in recent months, including neighbors like Surry County, which unanimously approved a 24-month pause, and Alamance County, which adopted a one-year moratorium. We have found only one lawsuit, in Chatham.
Why your signature matters
Commissioners have been hearing mostly legal warnings. They need to hear from voters. Every signature shows that Forsyth residents want the county to get ahead of this.
Forsyth County residents only, please. Signatures will be delivered with your name and ZIP code.
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on October 19, 2026