Raleigh city leaders had a lot on their plate Tuesday. But one item not on the agenda is still drawing some opposition. 

Over the weekend, a developer pulled plans for a data center in southeast Raleigh. By the time the plans were withdrawn, dozens of residents had signed up to speak against the proposal.

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The uproar is raising a question: why hasn’t Raleigh adopted a data center moratorium? 

The City of Oaks is currently the largest in the state without a moratorium in place. Charlotte and Durham adopted theirs weeks ago. Greensboro and Fayetteville are actively considering their own. 

The moratoriums have been driven by a wave of public outrage over the amount of land, power and water data centers can consume. 

Data center supporters have pushed back, arguing the facilities help generate needed tax revenue and jobs. 

The moratoriums are not bans on data center development. Instead, they’re temporary pauses - some lasting just a few weeks, others years - on new data center projects while city staff and leaders research the topic. 

>>Inside North Carolina's data center boom: Where does the water go?

Tuesday, WRAL sent Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell and each member of city council a list of questions, including:

  • Why hasn’t Raleigh approved a data center moratorium? Would you support one if it came up for a vote?
    • Do you, generally, support or oppose the construction of new data centers within the city of Raleigh?

      WRAL has not received a response. 

      During Tuesday’s city council meeting, city leaders, including Mayor Pro Tem Jane Harrison, did address the pushback on data centers, arguing the city needs to do more to make sure the public understands how, when, and whether data centers get approved in the city. 

      “I just want to make sure that we all understand how this process currently works,” said Harrison. 

      >>Read more: As AI demand rises, North Carolina considers new electricity rules for data centers

      Harrison pointed to a presentation shared during a city work session in June. In it, city staff explained the current state of data centers in Raleigh and the approval process the city operates under. 

      City staff noted that so-called “edge” data centers, which are less than 10,000 square feet and use relatively little power and water, can be built by right in any zoning district in the city. 

      The process is very different, though, for larger data centers, including hyperscale-sized projects. Those data centers can only be built in areas with Industrial Mixed Use or Heavy Industrial zoning and are only allowed after receiving a special use permit from the Board of Adjustment. 

      Tuesday, Mayor Pro Tem Harrison said she wants the city to do more to alert residents and the council when large data centers come before the Board.  

      “I appreciate staff just helping to inform our community when these are coming so they’re not a surprise to anyone,” said Harrison.