Charlotte debates data centers as east side project faces opposition. What to know
A proposed data center near Reedy Creek Nature Preserve has ignited a fierce debate on Charlotte’s City Council over whether the city should regulate — or even ban — such facilities near residential areas. The controversy comes as the broader region positions itself as a rising hub for data center and AI infrastructure development.
Here are key takeaways:
• The east Charlotte project is on hold. The American Tower Corporation requested a one-month delay on its petition to rezone 58 acres off Hood Road for a 40,000-square-foot data center. A City Council vote could come as soon as May 18.
• Thousands are pushing back. A petition urging the City Council to reject the rezoning has garnered more than 4,200 signatures. Residents cite concerns about rising electric bills, noise pollution and water quality.
• Some council members want a moratorium. At-large councilwoman Dimple Ajmera proposed pausing all data center approvals near residential communities until the city has clear standards. In an opinion piece for the Charlotte Observer, she wrote that Charlotte’s policies “are not keeping pace with the scale and speed of this industry.”
• Others urge caution about banning them outright. District 6 councilwoman Kimberly Owens warned that if U.S. cities ban data centers, companies could store data overseas. “AI is here, and data centers need to live someplace,” Owens said.
• City guidance is months away. Planning director Monica Holmes said staff recommendations on data center regulations could take three to six months.
• The region is still attracting major data center investment. Outside Charlotte in Catawba County, Corning Inc. and Meta Platforms launched a $6 billion partnership expected to create about 1,000 jobs and make the Hickory-area facility the largest optical cable plant in the world.
This report was produced with the assistance of a proprietary tool powered by artificial intelligence and using our own originally reported, written and published content. It was reviewed and edited by our journalists. To learn more about how The Charlotte Observer is using AI in our newsroom, see our policy here.