Board of Commissioners Work Session

Meeting recap

What happened, drawn from the records published after the meeting. Minutes

Hillsborough's Board of Commissioners voted 3-0 to extend a moratorium on data center development from 60 days to one year. Eight residents spoke at the public hearing, all in favor, and none opposed. The moratorium began May 27 and now runs to May 27, 2027, or until the town adopts new data-center zoning rules, whichever comes first. Staff will use the time to study the effect of data centers and cryptocurrency mining on the town's power, water and noise levels before drafting standards.

The board also adopted a rezoning and development agreement for 13.41 acres at 715 US Highway 70 East, changing the site from Assisted Living Neighborhood to Multifamily for applicant KEPSC Hillsborough LLC. The agreement allows up to 67 attached rental townhomes, a payment to the town's affordable housing fund, and sidewalks and a walking trail along the highway frontage. The town attorney said a consent order settling prior litigation over the property had cleared the way for the vote. On the consent agenda, the board approved a 1.44-acre rezoning at 515 Meadowlands Drive for Grace Hill Church Incorporated, a text amendment removing two vacant seats from the Historic District Commission, the FY2027 salary schedule, a $25,000 increase to the NC86 facility renovation project, and a permit for Hog Day 2026. Every vote was 3-0, with Commissioners Robb English and Evelyn Lloyd absent.

How the votes went

Every recorded vote passed 3-0, with Commissioners Meaghun Darab, Kathleen Ferguson and Matt Hughes voting and Robb English and Evelyn Lloyd absent. The board voted 3-0 to approve the amended agenda, 3-0 to open and later close the data center public hearing, 3-0 to adopt the one-year moratorium extension, 3-0 to approve the amended consent agenda (Items 4.A-4.F), 3-0 to adopt the consistency statement, rezoning ordinance and development agreement for 715 US Highway 70 East, and 3-0 to adjourn.

From the published minutes.

Who spoke

8 members of the public spoke.

1. A resident spoke in support of the one-year data center moratorium.
2. A resident spoke in support of the one-year data center moratorium.
3. A resident spoke in support of the one-year data center moratorium.
4. A resident spoke in support of the one-year data center moratorium.
5. A resident spoke in support of the one-year data center moratorium.
6. A resident spoke in support of the one-year data center moratorium.
7. A resident spoke in support of the one-year data center moratorium.
8. A resident spoke in support of the one-year data center moratorium.

The only comment period was the hearing on the data center moratorium extension. Eight residents spoke, all in support; none spoke against, and the minutes record no other public comment period.

Read from the records the government published after the meeting. Members of the public are private residents and are not named or indexed.