A proposal to rezone land in Matthews for a future data center drew sharp criticism Monday night, as about a dozen residents urged town commissioners to reject the project they say threatens the community’s health, infrastructure and identity.
The developer for Project Accelerate NC is seeking to rezone multiple parcels along East John Street for a 123-acre data center. Few details have been made public, residents said at a Monday night commission meeting, including the impact it will have on the city’s electric and water systems, or when construction might begin.
For Emily Moore, a Matthews resident who launched a petition opposing the development, the prospect of a data center in the town raises difficult questions.
“What I want for Matthews… is responsible development. I want studies done. I want thorough research. I want environmental impacts to be clear,” she said. “Way more than a data center, I would love to see a neighborhood. I would love to see community space… I think it’s a bigger conversation than even just this property off East John.”
Moore said she began talking to neighbors and downtown business owners after first hearing of the rezoning request last week. Those conversations, she said, showed many shared her concerns about whether Matthews has the infrastructure to support a large facility.
By Monday morning, her petition had more than 550 signatures, she said.
Fears over health, water and electricity use
Residents who spoke at Monday’s meeting pointed to data centers’ heavy demands on water and power systems. They questioned how such a facility would affect Matthews’ electric grid, air quality and water supply.
“We have a 2-year-old daughter that lives in Brightmoor, (she) needs to use an aspirator on a regular basis. I’m very concerned about it being as close as it is to our house, especially since… air travels as the crow flies,” said resident Brent Metcalf.
Several residents also said that little information is available about the project’s benefits or safeguards that would be in place. Without those details, they said, it’s difficult to evaluate the long-term impact it could have on Matthews.
The land in question backs up to the Brightmoor neighborhood, where residents have previously opposed other development proposals, Moore said. Some Brightmoor homeowners said they were concerned about how another large project could change their community.
Residents urged leaders to prioritize retaining Matthews’ charm and building more housing and public amenities over heavy-duty infrastructure to support the digital industry.
“We go from high density, 650-plus home (development), traffic congestion out the you know what… now we’re at a data center,” one speaker said. “Can we not meet somewhere in the middle and build a neighborhood?”
Danielle Benhem said she was concerned about how the center could change Matthews’ identity. She said she loves the town as it is and doesn’t want to have to find somewhere else to live if a data center is built.
“People know Matthews to be this charming place. We know our farmers names at the market. I know all the librarians downstairs. My son does too,” Benhem said. “Commissioners, I implore you to vote against this project when the time comes, please opt out of the AI gold rush and find a way to allow the residents of this gem of a town to use it for beautification, charm and personality.”
What comes next?
The rezoning request is scheduled to go before the town’s planning board Tuesday for review.
In light of the public interest in the project on Monday, commissioners voted to hold another public hearing on the project on Oct. 13, and the developers will hold a community meeting on Oct. 2, both at town hall.
Mayor John Higdon said the town had not yet made a decision on the project, and is trying to get as much information as possible before moving forward.
“We may not know all the answers, but we’re not advocating for this project,” Higdon said. “We just like you, they presented it to us, so it would be excellent to ask all these important questions to the applicant.”