Town Council Adds More Scrutiny For Data Centers, Streamlines Foster Home Approval

SMITHFIELD – A data center will no longer be able to locate in Smithfield simply because the property is properly zoned for industrial use.

Under zoning changes unanimously approved Oct. 20 by the Smithfield Town Council, any future data center will now require a special use permit and ultimately approval by the Town Council.

The change gives local elected officials greater control over whether a data center can locate in Smithfield and allows a proposed project to receive additional public scrutiny before a decision is made.

Until now, data centers were permitted by right in the town’s Light Industrial and Heavy Industrial zoning districts. If a proposed facility met the town’s requirements, it could be approved administratively by town staff without a special use permit from the council.

The new rules took effect immediately following a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Sloan Stevens and a unanimous vote by the council.

No data center has been proposed in Smithfield or within the town’s extraterritorial jurisdiction.

Planning Director Brent Reck and Town Attorney Bob Spence recommended making the change before an application is filed, giving the town additional oversight of a type of development that can place significant demands on infrastructure and utilities.

Under the new process, a data center proposal will face review through the town’s special use permit process, including scrutiny by the Planning Board and final consideration by the Town Council.

During a public hearing, Smithfield resident Steve Nixon spoke in favor of both zoning amendments considered by the council.

John Bell also supported the stricter data center rules and said he would favor going even further by placing a moratorium on data centers.

The council did not impose a moratorium, although town officials did not rule out considering one in the future if circumstances warrant.

Town staff recommended first changing the approval process so data centers could no longer be approved by right before considering more restrictive measures.

Foster Home Rules Eased

The council made the opposite change for family foster homes, eliminating a requirement that foster families obtain a special use permit.

Family foster homes can now be approved administratively by town staff as long as applicable requirements are met.

Town officials said family foster homes typically serve one or two children and are regulated by the State of North Carolina. They are separate from group homes under the town’s development regulations.

Previously, a foster family also had to go through Smithfield’s special use permit process.

The amendment is intended to make the process easier for foster families while maintaining state oversight and applicable zoning, building and fire safety requirements.

Nixon also spoke in favor of the foster home change.

The council approved the data center and foster home amendments together unanimously.