Town Council will consider a 60-day pause Tuesday, Nov. 10. Commissioners to hold public hearing Nov. 23.

By Nicole Bowman-Layton

EDENTON — Edenton and Chowan County officials are considering temporary restrictions on data center development as communities across northeastern North Carolina weigh the potential benefits and costs of the growing industry.

The Edenton Town Council will hold a public hearing Tuesday, Nov. 10, on a proposed 60-day moratorium that would temporarily halt certain development approvals for data centers within the town’s planning and zoning jurisdiction. A copy of the agenda sections pertaining to the data center moratorium appears below this story.

More information about the Nov. 10, 2026, Edenton Town Council meeting appears in a separate story — Council may censure Councilman Coston!

The Chowan County Board of Commissioners has scheduled a separate public hearing for Monday, Nov. 23, to consider a temporary moratorium on data centers and related high-impact facilities.

The proposals follow similar actions in neighboring counties, where local governments have sought additional time to study the effects of large data centers on electricity supplies, water systems, neighboring properties and public infrastructure.

Edenton considers 60-day pause

Edenton’s proposed ordinance would temporarily prevent the town from issuing new zoning approvals, special use permits, site plan approvals and certain other development approvals for data centers.

The restrictions would apply to facilities primarily used to house computer servers, data storage systems and networking equipment, including campuses with multiple buildings and supporting infrastructure.

Ordinary businesses with computer rooms or servers used as part of their regular operations would not be affected.

The proposed moratorium would last 60 days from its adoption unless the council ends it earlier. It would not permanently prohibit data centers or affect development protected by existing permits and other rights established under state law.

Town officials say additional review is needed to determine whether Edenton’s current zoning regulations adequately address the demands of large data centers.

Among the issues identified in the proposed ordinance are electricity demand, water and wastewater capacity, noise from cooling equipment and emergency generators, stormwater management, fire protection and compatibility with nearby homes and businesses.

The ordinance also calls for reviewing possible requirements for building setbacks, landscaping, screening and the placement of mechanical equipment.

Under the proposed schedule, town staff would spend the first 15 days reviewing existing regulations and consulting with utility and public safety personnel. The following weeks would be devoted to technical research, drafting possible regulations and reviewing recommendations with the Planning Board and Town Council.

The goal would be to determine whether Edenton needs additional zoning rules before the moratorium expires.

The agenda packet does not establish that a complete application for a data center is pending within the town’s jurisdiction.

Council members sought more time

The proposed moratorium follows an Oct. 26 meeting in which Town Council members postponed four development-related matters, including a proposed amendment establishing zoning regulations for data centers.

Councilman Samuel Dixon said the proposal had reached council before members had sufficient time to understand its implications.

“I think we were sort of surprised with that,” Dixon said, according to the Albemarle Observer’s coverage of the meeting.

Dixon suggested that council members might be more inclined to consider a temporary moratorium rather than move forward with regulations they had not fully studied.

Councilman Bob Turner also called for additional research and time to develop appropriate language for the ordinance, according to the meeting minutes.

The council voted unanimously to remove the proposed amendment from its agenda. No moratorium was adopted at that meeting.

The decision was part of a broader series of postponements that evening. Council members also delayed action on an industrial rezoning, a commercial subdivision and an apartment development proposal, citing concerns that required additional review.

The Nov. 10 proposal would give town officials 60 days to study the potential effects of data centers and determine whether additional zoning regulations are needed.

The proposed zoning amendment, which the Edenton Planning Board recommended for approval Oct. 5, would have established definitions and development standards for data centers, including requirements for setbacks, landscaping, noise and utility infrastructure.

The upcoming hearing marks the council’s first scheduled public hearing specifically on a temporary data center moratorium. Data centers had previously been raised during public comment at both the town and county levels.

During the Oct. 13 Town Council meeting, resident Susan Inglis expressed concerns about data centers. The council did not take action on the issue at that meeting.

Chowan County also schedules hearing

The Chowan County Board of Commissioners will consider its own proposed temporary moratorium during a public hearing at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23, at the Public Safety Center, 305 W. Freemason St.

The county’s public notice says commissioners will review and consider action on a temporary moratorium on development approvals for data centers and related high-impact facilities under North Carolina General Statute 160D-107.

The notice does not specify the proposed length of the county’s moratorium.

County commissioners previously discussed data centers during a September meeting, although no development proposal was before the board.

As previously reported by the Albemarle Observer, Commissioner Ellis Lawrence raised concerns about the amount of electricity and water large facilities might require.

Commissioner Tony Shaffer pointed to the economic benefits data centers have brought to parts of Northern Virginia, arguing that development could benefit Chowan County if properly managed.

Vice Chairman Larry McLaughlin said commissioners needed to learn more about the industry and consider whether local regulations were adequate.

The commissioners took no formal action during that discussion.

Neighboring counties have taken action

Several northeastern North Carolina counties have already adopted temporary restrictions on data center development.

Gates County commissioners unanimously approved a one-year moratorium in December 2025, following a public hearing that drew concerns about infrastructure, environmental effects and the county’s rural character.

The restrictions gave county officials time to study the industry and consider possible development standards.

Camden County commissioners approved a five-month moratorium in August 2026 covering data centers, cryptocurrency mining operations and related facilities. The restrictions are scheduled to expire Jan. 3, 2027, unless the county adopts regulations sooner.

The Camden decision followed a public hearing in which residents and commissioners discussed potential economic benefits alongside concerns about electricity, water, noise and neighboring properties.

Pasquotank, Perquimans and Northampton counties have also adopted moratoriums on data center development.

The regional actions reflect a growing debate over how rural communities should approach an industry that supports cloud computing, internet services and artificial intelligence.

Large data centers can bring substantial private investment and additional property tax revenue. However, their electricity requirements, cooling systems and other infrastructure needs can create challenges for communities that have not previously planned for such facilities.

How to participate

The Edenton Town Council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, in Council Chambers at 504 S. Broad St.

Residents may attend the public hearing and provide comments on the proposed moratorium.

Remote viewing is available through Zoom using meeting ID 252 482 2155 and passcode 458434.

The Chowan County Board of Commissioners’ public hearing is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23, at the Public Safety Center, 305 W. Freemason St. Interested residents are invited to attend.