Prince William County Board votes no to data center proposal
The Prince William County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted against a data center proposal that involved changing the land use for nearly 2,000 acres from agricultural to industrial. This decision came after hours of public comment, with opponents raising concerns about traffic, environmental impacts, and the loss of rural land near the Loudoun County line. The developer indicated plans to move forward, though it's unclear if they will reapply for this specific change.
The Prince William County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted 8-0 against a proposed data center project, rejecting a land use change for nearly 2,000 acres located near the Loudoun County line. The proposal sought to convert the largely agriculturally zoned area to industrial use, potentially allowing data centers and related developments.
The decision followed a nearly six-hour public comment session where homeowners and residents voiced strong opposition. Opponents raised concerns about increased traffic, potential environmental impacts, and the loss of rural land, echoing issues previously identified by the County's Planning Staff. Conversely, supporters highlighted the potential for new jobs and economic benefits, arguing that the proposal deserved to proceed through the review process.
Despite the board's definitive rejection of this specific land use change, the developer behind the initial application has indicated plans to continue pursuing the project, though it remains unclear if they intend to reapply for a similar land use alteration in the future.