Town of Franklin Passes Data Center Moratorium Following Packed Public Hearing

Executive Summary

The public hearing on a temporary one-year moratorium on new data center development within the Town of Franklin’s planning jurisdiction (town limits + ETJ) drew the largest crowd of the meeting and strong community engagement.

Mayor Guffey, Council members, Town Attorney John Henning, Jr., and staff explained that the town currently lacks zoning definitions or regulations for data centers, creating legal vulnerability. A moratorium provides time to study impacts (water consumption, power demand, noise, light pollution, traffic, compatibility with surrounding uses) and craft protective zoning rules. Council members unanimously expressed opposition to data centers in Franklin, citing incompatibility with the town’s character, family-friendly priorities, water resources, and quality of life. They noted legal limits on outright bans and encouraged residents to also engage Macon County commissioners and state legislators.

Public comment was overwhelmingly opposed to data centers, raising concerns about massive water and electricity use, constant noise/light/heat, minimal permanent jobs (often just security/maintenance), environmental risks (including PFAS in wastewater), impact on tourism/dark skies/wildlife, and the speculative nature of the AI boom. Speakers urged the town to use the moratorium year to make data centers “virtually impossible” through strict zoning.

After the hearing, the council unanimously adopted the moratorium ordinance, with Michael Lewis making the motion and Travis Higdon seconding.

Data Center Moratorium Public Hearing (07-06-2026) | Macon Media

New Outlets Present

Macon Media (Bobby) Macon Sense (Morgan and Amy) the Franklin Press (Mia)

Candidates for Office Present

Caleb Brown (NC House District 120)
Russ Lunn (County Commissioner District 1)

Mayor Stacy Guffey noted the large turnout and stated no council member wants a data center in Franklin. He explained the hearing was placed later in the agenda so the public could observe how the board operates.

Town Attorney John Henning, Jr. provided the legal foundation: NC case law prevents simply banning undefined uses. Without regulations, the town would be in a weak position if an application arrived. The moratorium (allowed by statute for up to one year) gives time to study health/safety/welfare impacts and write zoning rules addressing noise, water use (data centers can’t drain town resources), power generation (avoid diesel generators), and land-use compatibility. He stressed there are currently no applications.

Robbie Tompa noted that data centers take from family, jobs, recreation, and visitors; the goal is to make them “dang near impossible” legally.
Rita Salain: Will do everything possible to prevent one; residents should also speak to county commissioners and state legislators (Gillespie/Corbin).
Travis Higdon (and others): Hard “no” on anything that harms rivers, peace/quiet, or the community.
Joe Collins reminded those present that they will do everything in their power to prevent a data center from being built in the town’s jurisdiction.

Mayor Guffey and others emphasized the board’s commitment, legal constraints from the state legislature, the need to engage the county (ETJ only covers ~3 miles), and fairness to staff (e.g., Town Manager Amie Owens had been criticized on social media for simply identifying parcels large enough for a data center — she was warning the board, not supporting development).

The mayor invited public comment (limited to ~3 minutes) and stressed personal availability (phone number shared).

Public Comments

Judy Hartley: Supported the moratorium. Noted existing blighted properties (old Kmart/Ingles) should be prioritized for stable jobs instead. Highlighted data centers’ huge water/electricity use, noise from generators, light pollution, toxic waste, and very few permanent jobs. Urged using the one-year period to find a legal way to say “no.” Planned to attend county commissioners meeting.

Rob (REJ / James?): Tech worker background. Described data centers as repeating extractive patterns of coal/oil industries (deforestation, water overdraft, PFAS pollution, noise/light/heat affecting sleep miles away). Minimal jobs (often just a couple dozen permanent staff). Warned of AI financial bubble (referenced isAIprofitableyet.com) and risk of stranded assets. Thanked council for standing against them.

Matt Jackson (Realtor): Buyers do not ask for data centers — they are a deterrent. Urged passing the moratorium and then using the year to amend the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) to make large/high-impact (and small) data centers a prohibited use in Franklin and ETJ. “Franklin should stay a place of rivers and ridgelines, not data centers.”

Michael Scarborough (40+ years in IT): Technology changes rapidly (Moore’s Law); a data center built today may have only ~10-year useful life. Tax benefits often negotiated away; jobs are mostly low-paying security/maintenance (IT work is remote). Better to have something like an Amazon distribution center for real jobs/tax base.

Natalia McElroy and many subsequent speakers echoed concerns about water, noise, minimal jobs, impact on tourism/heritage, and the need for strict zoning. Multiple residents stressed showing up at county commission meetings (next one noted as Tuesday) and contacting state legislators. Some shared personal stories about why they chose Franklin (peace, nature, family).

Broader themes from public: Data centers are 24/7 operations with security lighting, generators, and unknown long-term waste impacts. They conflict with the town’s vision for family-friendly, tourism-based, high-quality-of-life community. Strong appreciation for the council’s proactive stance and transparency.

Closing Council Remarks and Vote

Mayor Guffey closed the hearing, thanking everyone for civil, engaged participation and noting the rare unity across political lines on protecting the community.

Motion to adopt the temporary moratorium ordinance was made, seconded, and carried unanimously (hands raised; 5-0). The board then took a short recess.

The hearing demonstrated strong community-council alignment against data centers and a clear mandate to use the moratorium year aggressively to strengthen local regulations.