Data Centers Task Force Meeting #1 - August 14, 2026

The City of Charlotte convened the first meeting of its Data Centers Task Force on August 14, 2026, to address the ongoing moratorium and policy development related to data center growth within the city and county. The meeting included introductions of task force members from various community, environmental, and development backgrounds, followed by an overview of the task force's purpose to review policy impacts and provide recommendations to City Council. Key discussions focused on the development and rezoning processes for data centers, including distinctions between by-right and conditional rezonings, community engagement requirements, and the challenges posed by legacy zoning and the 2040 comprehensive plan. The task force also explored the city's regulatory authority versus county jurisdiction, environmental justice concerns related to data center and utility infrastructure projects, and the need for clear definitions and differentiated treatment of data centers by scale. Action items included ongoing community education, gathering public feedback via surveys and comment maps, and preparing for future meetings to delve deeper into water and energy impacts. No specific contract awards or procurement decisions were made during this session, but the policy recommendations developed by the task force could influence future regulatory and development approvals affecting data center projects in Charlotte.