02 · Data Centers + Community Power
Community power over the decisions that shape our neighborhoods.
Major data center development raises real questions about energy, water, land, and who gets a say. We're building the tools for Raleigh to participate in those decisions.
01
What is a data center?
A facility that houses computer systems used to store, process, and manage digital information. The City distinguishes between two scales: minor data centers — small facilities, 10,000 square feet or less, with low peak electrical demand and water use — and major ("hyperscale") data centers, which can only be built in industrial zones and must go through a Special Use Permit process. As of the City's current guidance, Raleigh has several smaller data centers but no hyperscale facilities.
Source: City of Raleigh — Data Centers FAQ →02
Why is Raleigh talking about this now?
A petition to annex land at 3101 Jones Sausage Road for a data center was signed on March 11, 2026. The applicant withdrew the request on August 15, ahead of the public hearing that had been scheduled for August 18, after strong public opposition. Since then, several nearby cities and counties — including Durham, Greensboro, Charlotte, and Cary — have approved their own pauses on data-center development, driven in part by concerns over the land, electricity, and water large data centers can consume. At its September 15 meeting, Raleigh City Council directed the City Attorney to draft a moratorium ordinance, and on October 6 Council approved a six-month pause.
03
What is a moratorium?
A temporary pause on certain development approvals while a government studies an issue and considers regulations. Raleigh's moratorium pauses the City's acceptance and review of new data-center development approvals — including the Special Use Permit required for a major data center — while City staff studies impacts and develops potential regulations.
Source: City of Raleigh — Data Centers FAQ →04 · City Decision
What did the City approve?
On Oct. 6, 2026, Raleigh City Council approved a six-month pause on development approvals for major data centers, so the City can study impacts on surrounding properties and City resources and write regulations to address them. News reports put the vote at 7–1.
Per the City's draft ordinance, the pause covers accepting, processing, and approving development applications — and water and sewer extension applications — for major data centers, inside city limits and the extraterritorial jurisdiction. Small unstaffed data centers (10,000 square feet or less and 5 megawatts or less) and on-site accessory data centers are exempt. Raleigh currently has several smaller data centers but no hyperscale facilities.
The City's draft ordinance says the pause started Oct. 6, 2026 and ends no later than April 6, 2027 — or sooner if Council adopts the resulting rules. The draft was the version posted when we checked; the adopted text may differ.
Source: City of Raleigh — Data Centers FAQ →Source: City of Raleigh — draft moratorium ordinance (PDF) →05 · Organizers' Proposal
What did organizers ask for?
Community organizers called for a 32-month moratorium — enough time, in their view, for real research, drafting regulations, public workshops, Council review, and public hearings before Raleigh commits to long-term data-center policy.
Read the full proposal →06 · Organizers' Proposal
What concerns are organizers raising?
These are concerns identified in the organizers' proposal and echoed in local reporting on Raleigh-area data-center development — not independently verified claims about any specific facility.
Energy
Extremely high energy consumption and strain on existing utility infrastructure.
Utility Costs
The proposal cites a projected 3.4% utility rate increase for residents to help fund these private commercial uses — which it argues would make affordable living harder under HUD's guideline that housing and utilities stay under 30% of income.
Water
Substantial water usage for cooling, raised in the context of a current drought and water-shortage concern in the city.
Noise
Significant noise from cooling systems and backup generators, affecting adjacent residential areas.
Environment
Potential impacts from hazardous materials storage, electronic-waste disposal, and other pollution affecting air, water, and soil quality.
Land Use
Compatibility concerns in districts with residential uses, and the current UDO not specifying data centers as a listed use.
Long-Term Infrastructure
Remediation and other obligations if a facility is abandoned or its construction doesn't come to fruition.
Community Impact
The proposal specifically raises concerns about siting facilities in historic Black communities of Southeast Raleigh, and questions whether promised local jobs would materialize.
07 · YAP!'s questions — not official City findings
What should Raleigh be asking?
These are YAP!'s organizing priorities for the next six months. They are questions, not conclusions, and they are not findings by the City of Raleigh.
Water
What water resources could data centers require, and how will the City evaluate local impacts?
Energy
How could new data centers affect electricity demand, infrastructure needs, and utility costs?
Environment
What standards should address environmental impacts, backup generators, cooling systems, and local air quality?
Transparency
What information should developers disclose before receiving approval?
Community power
How can residents influence siting decisions and hold decision-makers accountable?
Public benefit
What benefits, costs, and tradeoffs should Raleigh evaluate for surrounding communities?