Apex will be off-limits to data centers for the next year after the Town Council unanimously passed a 12-month moratorium at its Tuesday meeting.
The temporary ban—intended to give town officials time to gather research and approve regulations for data centers—comes after residents strongly opposed a proposed data center project in New Hill, which developer Natelli Investments ended up pulling in early March.
The moratorium prevents Apex from reviewing or approving applications for the development of data centers (along with associated uses like cryptocurrency mining) until April 27, 2027. But it’s uncertain whether Natelli will bring its project back before the Town Council after the moratorium ends or if other data center projects will be proposed in the future.
Apex is the latest jurisdiction to consider such a moratorium. Data center bans are popping up around the country, and similar federal legislation has been introduced. Chatham County passed a moratorium earlier this year.
Whether data center developers return to Apex likely depends on the substance of the regulations Apex’s Environmental Affairs Board is set to develop. Residents have asked the town to impose stringent rules that address their concerns about air quality, noise pollution, energy and water consumption, and other environmental and quality-of-life factors.
On Tuesday, council members appeared united in their desire to do just that.
“This is the peak of good living,” said Councilmember Shane Reese. “We’re going to protect the residents of this town, we’re gonna protect our air, our water, our power, and our kids. … I look forward to the hard work and due diligence that will occur over these next 12 months. And I’m looking forward to having a robust unified development ordinance [UDO] to protect our community.”
Councilmember Sue Mu thanked residents for continually showing up to Town Council meetings to express their concerns and voice their opinions, saying “it’s a community effort.” She added that she thinks Apex can act as an example for other towns and cities considering a moratorium, like Wendell.
Michelle Hofner O’Connor, co-leader of the Protect Wake County Coalition, which advocated against the proposed New Hill Digital Campus, said at Tuesday’s meeting that she looks forward to the next year with “cautious optimism.” But she was adamant that a long list of questions needed to be answered “to determine if we can allow a data center here at all and if so, under what circumstances.”
Hofner O’Connor went on to list a variety of technical questions she wants addressed, including questions around generator emissions, noise pollution, wildlife, water usage, and the local economic impact of a data center.
“[The town should prioritize] good research performed by qualified experts, free of any conflicts of interest,” Hofner O’Connor said. “The next year should be a testament to decision-making based on strong scientific evidence.”
Other commenters were more blunt about their position, arguing that the town should not allow the construction of data centers under any circumstances.
“Residents are not asking for delay, we’re not asking for study, we’re not asking for reconsideration,” said New Hill resident Dawn Cozzolino. “We are stating a clear position: No data centers in Wake County, ever.”
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