Orange County applauded on vote that could impact data center and housing project
The Orange County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted that the zoning district for the proposed Wilderness Crossing project was not established in accordance with Virginia law. This decision, applauded by environmental groups and local residents, could invalidate the rezoning that would allow the development of 5,000 homes and data centers. An ongoing lawsuit also seeks to halt the project due to concerns over traffic, historic resources, and environmental impacts.
The Orange County Board of Supervisors in Virginia unanimously voted 5-0 that the zoning district for the proposed Wilderness Crossing project was not legally established in accordance with state law. This decision has been widely applauded by local residents and organizations like the Piedmont Environmental Council and the American Battlefield Trust, who have been opposing the 2,600-acre development.
Wilderness Crossing, located near the intersection of Route 3 and Route 20, is slated to include up to 5,000 new homes and data centers. Opponents cite concerns about increased traffic, the project's impact on the historic Wilderness Battlefield, potential mercury contamination from historic gold mines on site, and effects on the Rapidan River.
The board's recent vote suggests a potential invalidation of the rezoning that initially approved the Wilderness Crossing development in 2023. This action comes amidst an ongoing lawsuit filed by the American Battlefield Trust and local homeowners aimed at stopping the project. The board chairman noted that the implications for Wilderness Crossing remain unclear due to the legal challenge.
Don McCown, Land Use Field Representative for the Piedmont Environmental Council, acknowledged the board's decision as a step in the right direction but reiterated ongoing serious concerns about the development itself. American Battlefield Trust president David Duncan stated that while the county proceeds methodically, today's decision points to the eventual invalidation of the Wilderness Crossing rezoning.