In this Issue of Hey Cherokee County…

✅ Before the Next Data Center Arrives, Cherokee County Wants New Rules in Place

✅ Former Commissioner Jan Griggs Recommended as Interim District 5 Representative; Candidate Nomination Open for November Ballot

Cherokee County Events

August 1st

August 4th

August 11th

August 15th

August 26th

September 16th-19th

September 26th

October 31st

November 21st

What kind of county does Cherokee County want to become?

That's the question county leaders are trying to answer with a proposed High Impact Land Use Ordinance they say is designed to protect residents before the next wave of industrial development arrives.

Although discussions surrounding the ordinance have largely been fueled by concerns over artificial intelligence data centers, the proposed regulations extend far beyond that single industry. The 17-page draft would create a new approval process for dozens of large-scale developments, including data processing facilities, crypto mines, quarries, asphalt plants, concrete plants, chemical facilities, fuel storage centers and other operations the county considers high impact.

"It was one of the first things that myself and Sue Lynn insisted on after we took the oath in March because the previous board had let the moratorium expire," Cherokee County Commissioner Dr. Jeana Conley said. "There is another iteration coming quickly. There are five other data centers that are exploring coming to Cherokee County."

The draft ordinance, which can be obtained at the county courthouse, does not specifically mention artificial intelligence or AI data centers. Instead, it establishes standards intended to apply broadly to new high-impact industries.

"Any business that comes here needs to be able to demonstrate that they are not negatively impacting our environment in an unrecoverable way, and that it's not making it unpleasant to live here," Conley said. "I don't care what industry it is. If they can't meet those standards they don't need to be here."

Among the proposal's most significant provisions is a requirement that qualifying developments be located at least 2,000 feet from protected sites, including homes, schools, churches, parks, nursing homes and certain water resources. Conley said that distance was not chosen arbitrarily.

"The 2,000 feet was researched by attorneys for rural communities," she said, adding that attorneys also reviewed similar ordinances adopted in other counties while drafting Cherokee County's proposal.

The ordinance would also require developers seeking approval for a high-impact land use to submit extensive documentation before construction could begin. Depending on the project, applicants could be required to provide engineering studies, environmental reports, traffic analyses, sound studies, utility demand estimates, hydrogeological reports and other technical information prepared by licensed professionals.

In several cases, the ordinance specifically requires reports or certifications from engineers or other qualified experts, meaning applicants would likely bear the cost of hiring outside professionals before the county would even consider approving the project.

Applicants could also be responsible for reimbursing the county up to $5,000 if outside experts are hired to assist with the county's review of an application.

Not every industrial operation would automatically fall under the ordinance. Some land uses are defined by the nature of the business itself, while others include thresholds based on factors such as acreage or the size of the operation. For example, certain wood-processing facilities are excluded unless they exceed specified employment levels.

Existing businesses would generally not be subject to the new requirements.

"There is no way that you could layer these kinds of expectations on after the fact that they've already been functioning, so this will only apply to new industries coming to Cherokee County," Conley said.

How many existing businesses would qualify as "high impact" under the ordinance if they were built today remains unclear. Conley said county officials do not yet know that number.

The proposal is still evolving, as county attorneys continue researching applicable state law and refining the language. County officials plan to schedule a public hearing after attorneys complete the next iteration of the ordinance, giving residents an opportunity to review the proposal and provide input before any action is taken. 

Click here to read or download the current draft of the ordinance.

The Cherokee County Republican Party has selected former Commissioner Jan Griggs to temporarily fill the vacant District 5 seat on the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners following the resignation of Commissioner Alan Bryant earlier this month. The county formally declared the vacancy during a special meeting on July 6.

The Cherokee County Republican Party Executive Committee met July 21 to interview candidates for the interim appointment. Before the meeting, applicant Daniel McNabb withdrew his name from consideration because of a conflict with his position on the Tri-State EMC Board of Directors, according to GOP officials. With McNabb's withdrawal, Griggs was left as the sole applicant. After interviewing her, the executive committee voted to recommend Griggs as interim commissioner. 

The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners has scheduled a special meeting for Aug. 5 at 4:30 p.m. to officially accept the Republican Party's recommendation and swear Griggs into office. Once approved, she will serve as the interim District 5 commissioner through at least the November 2026 general election.

Griggs is no stranger to the board, having previously represented District 5 from 2020 through 2024.

While Griggs is expected to fill the seat on an interim basis, the position will still appear on the November general election ballot because Bryant resigned more than 60 days before the election, leaving more than half of the four-year term unexpired. Under North Carolina law, both the Republican and Democratic parties may nominate candidates to fill the District 5 seat for the remainder of the unexpired term. 

In a phone conversation Wednesday evening, County GOP Chairman Mark Kephart told Hey Cherokee County the Republican nominee to fill the District 5 seat on the November ballot has not yet been chosen. 

“She’s just an interim; the one that’s gonna appear on the ballot will be picked Aug. 4th,” Kephart said. 

Emails have been sent to everyone on the GOP mailing list, Kephart added, and those interested in seeking the Republican nomination to appear on the ballot may respond or request an application by emailing the Cherokee County Republican Party through the contact information listed on its website. Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Aug. 3, he said.

The winner of the November election will serve the remainder of the unexpired District 5 term.

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