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In a reversal of its previous decision, the Greensboro City Council unanimously approved moving forward with the process to enact a temporary moratorium on certain large-scale data centers.
During its August 3 meeting, council members voted 9-0 to begin drafting an ordinance for a targeted 120-day moratorium on proposed data centers requiring more than 10 megawatts of electricity.
The council had rejected a broader moratorium by a 5-4 vote at its July 21 meeting, citing a presentation by McGuireWoods Consulting scheduled for the following day’s council work session.
The proposed pause would give city officials time to examine potential regulations addressing the environmental and community effects of large data centers, including their water and electricity consumption, noise, land use and impact on surrounding neighborhoods, livestock and other animals.
At-large councilmember Hugh Holston, who previously voted against the moratorium, explained that he introduced the motion to reconsider after council members held a work session and received additional feedback from residents.
“This has been a real collaborative effort,” Holston said. “And that collaboration begins with you. Those who are here in the audience and those who are residents of the city of Greensboro.”
The vote does not immediately establish a moratorium. Under state law, a moratorium lasting longer than 60 days requires a public hearing. Council will hold a special meeting and public hearing on August 17 in the council chambers at 4 p.m. to receive community input before considering final approval at its regular meeting on August 18.
Under the proposed compromise, the moratorium would apply only to facilities exceeding the 10-megawatt threshold. City officials would continue developing conditions for smaller data centers requiring between one and 10 megawatts.
District 1 councilmember Crystal Black, who has consistently supported a pause, described the proposal as a balanced approach that would allow Greensboro to protect residents without closing the door on future economic development.
“We didn’t get to this consensus by ignoring our disagreements,” Black said. “We got here by working right through them.”
The unanimous vote marked a significant shift following weeks of public pressure from residents urging the city to proceed cautiously before approving additional data center developments.
