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exterior appearance/ noise ) ; <br /> • Any other development approval required by law; <br /> for the establishment, construction , erection, alteration, or expansion of any data center, <br /> cryptocurrency mining facility, other high - impact data processing facility or other uses including but not <br /> limited to Artificial Intelligence Data Centers, Cryptocurrency Mining Facilities, Data Centers, Data <br /> Processing Facilities, and similar uses . <br /> Section 2 . Scope and Exemptions <br /> This moratorium shall apply to all unincorporated areas of Orange County . Exemptions include : <br /> • Any development that has received a valid development approval in accordance with G . S . 160D407 ( c ) <br /> prior to the effective date of this ordinance . <br /> • Single and two -family residential dwellings . <br /> Section 3 . Plan of Action and Schedule <br /> During the effective period of this moratorium , the Orange County Board of Commissioners and County <br /> Staff shall take the following actions : <br /> • Step 1 : Study the potential impacts ( energy, water, noise, land use ) of data centers and similar <br /> facilities . <br /> • Step 2 : Draft specific land use ordinance amendments and performance standards to regulate these <br /> facilities, including appropriate zoning districts, setback requirements, noise limitations, and utility <br /> capacity conditions . <br /> • Step 3 : Planning Board review of the draft amendments . <br /> • Step 4 : The Board of Commissioners will hold the necessary public hearings to consider and potentially <br /> adopt the final ordinance amendments . <br /> Section 4. Duration and Termination <br /> This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from April 21, 2026 until April 21 , 2027, unless earlier <br /> terminated , extended , or modified by the Board of Commissioners in accordance with North Carolina <br /> law . The stated duration is reasonably necessary to address the identified problems . <br /> Section 5 . Severability <br /> If any section or part of this ordinance is declared invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent <br /> jurisdiction , such invalidity shall not affect the validity of the remaining sections or parts . <br /> Adopted this the 21St day of April , 2026 . <br /> t <br /> 1 ? 52 <br />