Gates County to discuss data center land use recommendations

The Gates County Planning Department has announced a community engagement session for August 20 to discuss recommendations regarding data center development within the county. This session is part of a moratorium on the approval of data centers, cryptocurrency mining facilities, and other high-impact data processing sites, which was enacted by county commissioners on December 17, 2025.

The moratorium, set to remain in effect until December 17, 2026, requires county staff to study the potential impacts of such facilities on energy, water, noise, and land use. The goal is to draft specific land use ordinance amendments and performance standards, including zoning districts, setback requirements, and utility capacity conditions, to regulate future developments.