City/County Planning Board Meeting June 11, 2026

The City/County Planning Board of Winston-Salem convened on June 11, 2026, to review multiple zoning and land use cases, including residential subdivisions, commercial site plans, and a significant special use permit request for a hyperscale data center in Rural Hall. The board approved several residential and commercial development plans consistent with area plans and the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). A major focus was the proposed hyperscale data center rezoning (case F1669), which involved extensive public comment and staff presentations detailing site plans, environmental considerations, noise mitigation, and community impact. Despite the economic benefits and infrastructure suitability cited by proponents, the board found the data center inconsistent with the comprehensive plan and area plan recommendations, particularly due to concerns about industrial encroachment, noise, building scale, and compatibility with the surrounding rural residential community. The board voted 7-2 to recommend denial of the data center rezoning to the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, which will make the final decision. The meeting also included updates on upcoming area plans and public art installations. No direct contract awards or procurement actions were discussed, but the data center project represents a potential future capital development with significant community and planning implications.