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14 <br /> 1 Jesse advocated a stronger stance, warning companies might skirt regulations during the <br /> 2 moratorium. They pointed out the misleading claims about closed-loop cooling systems and <br /> 3 noted data centers already account for 7% of national electricity use. <br /> 4 Jessica Benton Lobdell supported a cautious pause concerning data center development, <br /> 5 emphasizing the need to address significant issues such as land use and water protection before <br /> 6 approving any new projects. She highlighted the contentious nature of large Al data centers and <br /> 7 pointed out that job creation and tax revenue are often cited benefits, but these benefits require <br /> 8 careful evaluation against potential negative impacts. She emphasized that impacts on <br /> 9 infrastructure like land and water must be considered and effectively managed. She endorsed <br /> 10 the idea of eliminating state tax breaks for data centers. Her comments reflected a broader <br /> 11 concern that local communities should not subsidize these centers through tax incentives when <br /> 12 they potentially lead to environmental stresses. <br /> 13 Ashley Parker spoke in favor of the moratorium on data centers. She noted that <br /> 14 agricultural lands are prime targets for data centers, pointing out NC's rapid farmland loss. She <br /> 15 argued that large data centers would hinder the county's Climate Action Plan, stressing that <br /> 16 current drought conditions exacerbate these challenges. She requested that the Board support <br /> 17 the moratorium. <br /> 18 <br /> 19 A motion was made by Commissioner Bedford, seconded by Vice-Chair Fowler, to close <br /> 20 the public hearing. <br /> 21 <br /> 22 VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 23 <br /> 24 A motion was made by Vice-Chair Fowler, seconded by Commissioner Carter, to approve <br /> 25 the Ordinance to Apply a One-Year Moratorium on Data Centers as a Land Use in Orange County. <br /> 26 <br /> 27 VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 28 <br /> 29 6. Regular Agenda <br /> 30 a. Resolution Authorizing Loan to Orange Grove Fire District for Fire Station Improvements as <br /> 31 Part of FY 2025-26 Spring Financing and Approval of Budget Amendment#9-A <br /> 32 The Board approved a resolution authorizing a loan to the Orange Grove Fire District in the <br /> 33 amount of $1.7 million for capital improvements to Fire Station #2 and approved Budget <br /> 34 Amendment #9-A. The County will in turn include the loan amount in its FY 2025-26 Spring <br /> 35 Financing amount. <br /> 36 <br /> 37 BACKGROUND: Orange Grove Fire District, Inc. (OGFD) has requested financial assistance to <br /> 38 support renovations and upgrades to Rocky Ridge Fire Station #2 within the Orange Grove Fire <br /> 39 District.The project will convert the existing facility from a garage structure into a fully functioning <br /> 40 fire station with living quarters, office space, and kitchen facilities to support long-term <br /> 41 emergency service delivery in the district. The estimated project cost is approximately $1.7 <br /> 42 million. <br /> 43 <br />