Charlotte will keep its pause on new data center projects for almost another year. City Council voted unanimously on Monday, Oct. 26, to extend the moratorium until Oct. 18, 2027, WBTV reported. The original 150-day moratorium, approved in June, was set to expire Nov. 5.

What the moratorium does

The city stops accepting, processing and approving applications for new data centers inside Charlotte city limits. That covers South Charlotte neighborhoods inside the city, including Ballantyne, SouthPark and Steele Creek. Projects that were already approved or permitted are not affected, according to WFAE. Towns outside the city, such as Matthews and Pineville, make their own rules.

Why council wants more time

City leaders say they need time to review existing ordinances and consider new rules on issues residents have raised, including noise, pollution, and energy and water use. District 6 council member Kimberly Owens said council's main limitation is that state law does not allow it to downzone land, WFAE reported. Council is hoping the General Assembly will change state law early in its next session.

Projects already underway

After the vote, District 4 council member Renee Johnson said two "hyperscale" developments totaling 5.5 million square feet are under construction and will not be subject to new rules, WCCB reported. The city's data center task force will keep studying distance and noise issues during the extension.

More South Charlotte neighborhood news.

Sources: WBTV; WFAE; WCCB