Next step for Forsyth County

Forsyth County zoning for data centers must change

Project Iron Spur, the proposed hyperscale data center in Rural Hall, was denied. Now we need your support for the next step:

Updating Forsyth County’s outdated zoning rules so modern data centers are clearly defined, properly classified, and held to appropriate development standards.

Sign the petition

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Petition for a Text Amendment of the Unified Development Ordinances (UDO) to establish:

  1. Use definitions
  2. Use-specific conditions
  3. Development standards

for data centers in Forsyth County.

Required
Required
Required
Required
Do you live in Forsyth County or own property in Forsyth County? Required
Optional
Optional

By signing, you are adding your name to the petition supporting a separate data center category and standards in Forsyth County zoning.

Petition agreement Required

Primary petition: Forsyth County residents and property owners. Outside supporters may still submit comments.

Why Forsyth County zoning needs to change

Currently, data centers are grouped under a catch-all zoning category called Services A. Examples of uses currently grouped under Services A include:

  • Barbershops
  • Dental offices
  • Fitness studios
  • Convenience stores
  • Data centers

Modern data centers are not the same kind of land use as a barbershop, dental office, or fitness studio.

Large data centers can involve:

  • Major electrical infrastructure
  • Water demand
  • Backup generators
  • Cooling equipment
  • Persistent noise
  • Security fencing
  • Large-scale land impacts
  • Traffic and construction impacts

To help Forsyth County create clear standards for data centers, these facilities need their own zoning category.

We need your help to make that happen.

Do you live in Forsyth County or own property here? If you agree that Forsyth County zoning regulations should be updated to create a separate category and standards for data centers, please sign the petition.

Sign the petition

About NDCRH

No Data Center Rural Hall is a resident-led group formed during the fight against Project Iron Spur, the proposed hyperscale data center that would have been built across from Rural Hall Town Hall.

On July 30, 2026, Forsyth County commissioners denied that rezoning. That was a major community victory, but the larger issue is not finished.

Forsyth County’s zoning rules still need to catch up with the scale, power demand, water use, noise, backup generators, and land-use impacts of modern data centers.

NDCRH still helps residents stay informed. We put source materials in one place and keep track of public meetings. We show people how to reach the officials who decide these cases. When another data center proposal shows up aimed at a rural community, we help neighbors organize and push back.

We are nonpartisan, resident-led, and focused on protecting Rural Hall and Forsyth County.

Your signature has been recorded. Please take the next step and email the Forsyth County Commissioners to ask them to support a UDO text amendment with clear zoning rules for data centers.