City of Charlotte Data Center Community Meeting - September 25, 2026

The City of Charlotte held a Data Center Community Meeting on September 25, 2026, to discuss the current moratorium on new data center developments, which is in place until November 5, 2026. City staff from various departments including sustainability, zoning, water, energy, noise, urban heat, and air quality provided detailed presentations on the impacts and regulations related to data centers. Key procurement-related topics included zoning regulations that currently allow data centers in eight specific districts without size or type distinctions, and the limitations imposed by North Carolina state law on local zoning changes. The city is exploring potential zoning updates, including setback requirements and decommissioning plans, but noted zero leeway to ban hyperscale data centers due to state restrictions. Water usage and capacity assurance were addressed, confirming that data centers use a very small fraction of the city’s water supply and that contamination risks are mitigated by backflow preventers. Noise and urban heat impacts were discussed, with the city considering policy development and mitigation strategies. The meeting included community feedback expressing concerns about environmental, health, and economic impacts, as well as calls for more stringent regulations and benefits for local residents. The city encouraged ongoing public engagement and highlighted the need for state legislative changes to enable more restrictive local controls on data center development.