Apex Residents Rally Over Proposed New Hill Data Campus Near Friendship Road

Hundreds of residents gathered October 28 to voice opposition to the New Hill Digital Campus, a proposed 189 acre data center development listed by the developer as Natelli Group. The project site is west of Apex near Friendship Road and U.S. 64, and nearby communities and advocacy groups say the proposal raises urgent questions about infrastructure, safety and neighborhood character.

Residents identified a range of local impacts that they want officials and the developer to address before any approvals are considered. Concerns cited at the meeting included noise, water and power demands, potential impacts on property values and increased traffic. Attendees also highlighted the site proximity to the Apex Water Reclamation Facility and the Shearon Harris Nuclear Plant as factors that have heightened public unease about safety and cumulative environmental effects.

Town officials stressed that the proposal remains months from any formal vote, and that a multi step municipal review process is under way. Town Manager Randal Vosburg said the developer was expected to resubmit rezoning and Unified Development Ordinance amendments on November 3. Town staff outlined the next steps as a Technical Review Committee meeting on November 20, a joint Town Council and Planning Board informational work session on January 22, 2026, a second neighborhood meeting in February 2026 and the earliest possible public hearings in March 2026.

Officials also signaled that additional scrutiny will be part of the review, including a sound engineering assessment and consideration of possible changes to zoning and the Unified Development Ordinance specifically for digital infrastructure projects. Community groups, including the Protect Wake County Coalition and neighboring residents, have pressed for special zoning treatment and further studies prior to any legislative action.

The debate in Apex reflects wider tensions seen around the region and internationally as municipalities weigh economic development tied to data center investment against local environmental and quality of life concerns. Data centers typically bring jobs and tax revenue, while also increasing demand on electricity and water systems and changing land use patterns. For Wake County residents, the New Hill proposal highlights the need for clear planning processes, transparent technical review and avenues for meaningful public input.

Residents who want to follow the project should monitor town notices and the scheduled meetings in late 2025 and early 2026. The procedural timeline gives neighbors several formal opportunities to ask questions, submit comments and press for additional studies before any rezoning or ordinance changes reach a public hearing.