Orange County Votes Yes on a One Year Data Center Moratorium, Approves $1.7 million loan for Orange Grove fire substation
The Orange County Board of Commissioners hears environmental and farmland concerns before unanimously adopting a one-year moratorium on large data centers, then approves a $1.7 million loan for an Orange Grove fire substation despite calls for more transparency. Residents and the board also weigh in on disc golf at Blackwood Farm Park and how future listening sessions and budget Q&As should better involve the community. 32mins
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In This Video
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A retired hydrologist, speaking for petitioners, opposed developing a disc golf course at Blackwood Farm Park, citing risks to the park’s forest hydrology, aquatic ecosystems, and hiker safety.
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Commissioner Bedford shared updates on reconfiguring the county’s homelessness partnership under HUD’s continuum of care model, launching new Child Protective Services case-tracking software, and expanding tuition and job-training support through Durham Tech Community College for recent graduates and unemployed residents.
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Vice-Chair Fowler reported on regional parks and trail planning efforts, school visits highlighting STEM and mental health supports, property tax revaluation research needs, and recent discussions at the Triangle W TPO on environmental justice and local project priorities.
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Commissioner McKee reflected on the long-running regional livestock show and reported attending a Caldwell Hunting Club event that hosted guided hunts for wounded veterans.
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Chair Hamilton reported on participating in school and parks collaboration meetings, a quarterly transportation luncheon with NCDOT and local staff, an Emergency Management Services recognition event, and a ribbon-cutting celebrating the expansion of a Japanese-owned candy factory as a sign of ongoing economic development efforts in Orange County.
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County staff summarized prior briefings on the environmental, infrastructure, and equity impacts of large-scale data centers and recommended a one-year moratorium so the County could develop appropriate land-use standards in its Unified Development Ordinance before accepting any applications.
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Ashley Parker, a lifelong Orange County resident and farmer, spoke in favor of the data center moratorium, arguing that large-scale facilities would overuse water and energy, threaten farmland, worsen pollution, and conflict with the county’s climate and resource goals.
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The Board closed the public hearing, unanimously approved an ordinance imposing a one-year moratorium on data centers as a land use in Orange County.
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A resident from the Orange Grove Fire District urged the Board to delay approving the Rocky Ridge #2 fire substation loan, citing lack of transparency and community awareness about the project’s purpose, plans, costs, and governing bylaws.
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The Board unanimously approved a $1.7 million loan to the Orange Grove Fire District, adopting the related resolution, promissory note, and budget amendment and authorizing staff to implement the financing.
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Chair Hamilton introduced a follow-up discussion on strategic communications, and Community Relations Director Glenn recapped prior decisions on project-based stakeholder groups and quarterly updates while asking commissioners for feedback on how to structure future community listening sessions.
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Commissioner Carter revisited the idea of small-group commissioner listening sessions as a pilot in different parts of the county, acknowledging prior concerns about workload and quorum issues while inviting discussion of alternative community engagement approaches.
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Chair Hamilton and Community Relations Director Glenn discussed using upcoming business meetings and two pre-meeting Q&A sessions in late May to engage residents on budget questions and provide information.
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