Holly Springs (NC) Town Council to Consider Data Center Moratorium, Downtown Festival Street Vision Tonight
Holly Springs leaders will weigh a proposed one-year data center moratorium, review downtown Festival Street concepts, honor state champions, recognize Juneteenth and consider a bridge naming request.
Holly Springs, NC, Jun. 16, 2026 — The future of data center development in Holly Springs could take a significant turn tonight as the Town Council considers a proposed one-year moratorium on new applications while also getting its first detailed look at plans for a Festival Street that could reshape part of downtown.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall Council Chambers at 128 S. Main Street (map) and includes several community recognitions, including a Juneteenth proclamation, recognition of Holly Springs High School’s state champion women’s soccer team, and consideration of a bridge naming request honoring fallen Wake County Deputy Mark R. Tucker.
The most significant policy item on the agenda (packet) is a proposed 12-month moratorium on applications for data centers, cryptocurrency mining operations, data processing facilities, and related uses within Holly Springs and its extraterritorial jurisdiction. Town staff says the pause would allow time to study whether additional regulations are needed before such projects move forward. Issues identified for review include water consumption, energy demand, backup power generation, noise, transportation impacts, and land-use compatibility. If approved, the moratorium would remain in place while the town evaluates potential amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance and related policies governing these uses.
Downtown development will also be a major focus as council receives its first substantial update on the Avent Ferry Road Festival Street concept, a project identified in the Downtown Area Plan. The proposal would redesign portions of Avent Ferry Road to create a pedestrian-oriented public space capable of hosting festivals, markets, parades, and other community events while continuing to function as a roadway when needed. Early concepts include a curbless street design, retractable bollards, enhanced landscaping, public art, gathering spaces, decorative lighting, improved pedestrian crossings, and infrastructure that would allow temporary street closures during special events.
The meeting will also include recognition of the Holly Springs High School Girl’s Soccer Team (MaxPreps) following the program’s first 7A state championship. The Golden Hawks defeated Weddington 2-1 to capture the title and finished the season with a 20-3-1 record. Mayor Mike Kondratick is expected to recognize the team’s 25 players and coaching staff for the achievement.
Council will also proclaim June 19th as Juneteenth in Holly Springs, recognizing the 161st anniversary of the holiday commemorating the delayed arrival of news of the Emancipation Proclamation to enslaved people in Texas in June 1865. (learn more)
Another notable item is a resolution endorsing the naming of the Holly Springs Road bridge over NC 540 in honor of Deputy Mark R. Tucker. Tucker served 24 years with the Wake County Sheriff’s Office and was killed in the line of duty on February 12, 2004. According to agenda materials, the bridge is located approximately 1.4 miles from where he was killed. The request originated with the Wake County Fraternal Order of Police and requires municipal support before the North Carolina Department of Transportation can consider the designation.
Additional agenda items include end-of-year budget amendments and grant-related funding adjustments, an annexation request associated with the Veridea development area and a related industrial project in Apex, updates to the town’s Engineering Design and Construction Standards, a design change order for the Holly Springs Road Central project, and a July Parks and Recreation Month proclamation.
Together, the data center moratorium and Festival Street discussion highlight two issues likely to shape Holly Springs’ future for years to come: how the town manages growth and how it continues building a distinctive downtown experience.