New Hanover County Board of Commissioners Agenda Review - September 17, 2026

The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners held an agenda review meeting on September 17, 2026, focusing primarily on the emerging issue of data centers and their regulation within the county. Staff presented an overview of data center types, zoning allowances, and the challenges posed by hyperscale data centers, including concerns about energy and water usage, noise, and environmental impacts. Commissioners discussed the current by-right approval process for data centers and expressed interest in exploring more proactive regulatory measures, such as conditional rezoning or special use permits, to allow greater board oversight and community input. The board also reviewed several consent agenda items, including tax collection reports and business permits, and debated a rezoning request for a 10.4-acre property, with staff recommending denial due to the preference for conditional rezoning. Additionally, commissioners discussed improving the appointment process for county committees, emphasizing the need for more thorough vetting and public discussion, particularly for high-impact committees like the endowment board. The meeting concluded with a closed session to discuss real estate acquisition matters.