Item:
Title
Data Center Moratorium Discussion (60min)
Body
Date of BOCC Meeting: August 3, 2026
Request for Board Action:
Agenda Text
The Board is being asked to provide staff with guidance on a draft moratorium regarding data centers. A public hearing on the moratorium has tentatively been scheduled for August 24, 2026. As data centers have expanded across the state and nation, some jurisdictions have enacted temporary moratoria on new facilities, citing concerns about rising utility costs and environmental effects.
Large-scale data centers, data processing facilities, cryptocurrency mining operations, and similar uses can require significant electricity and water resources and may have impacts on infrastructure, the environment, and surrounding communities.
The table of permitted uses in the current Unified Development Ordinance does not define “data centers,” “data processing facilities,” “cryptocurrency mining operations,” or any other uses associated with data processing facilities. The County needs time to develop appropriate, comprehensive standards to ensure that any future development, and expansion of any such facilities, is consistent with the County's long-term land use plan and protects the public’s health and interests.
Additionally, the Durham Code of Ordinances does not consider the impact of the aforementioned uses on existing County infrastructure. Some data centers are already located in Durham, but the impact of their continued development and expansion is not yet regulated. A temporary moratorium on accepting and processing new applications for such facilities, with possible exemptions, is a reasonable and necessary measure to allow County staff and the Planning & Development Department sufficient time to study the issues, engage with stakeholders, draft appropriate amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance, consider appropriate provisions for the future LDC, and to allow the County to adopt any needed amendments to the Durham Code of Ordinances.
Alignment with Strategic Plan: Empowered Community and Sustainable Infrastructure Environment
Resource Persons: Claudia Hager, County Manager; Larissa Williamson, County Attorney; Maurice Jones, Deputy County Manager; Sarah Young, Director of Planning and Development.
County Manager’s Recommendation: The County Manager recommends that the Board provide guidance on the draft moratorium.
Signature
County Manager: ____________________________