New Kent supervisors strike down tech district plan; rezone 340 acres for potential business park
The New Kent County Board of Supervisors rejected a proposed 1,800-acre technology overlay district intended for data centers. Concurrently, the board approved the rezoning of 343 acres within that area for The Curtis Group's Eltham Business Park, despite residents' concerns that it could still facilitate future data center development. County staff have been directed to draft a new data center ordinance with strict performance standards.
The New Kent County Board of Supervisors recently decided against a proposed 1,800-acre technology overlay district (TOD) in the Route 33 corridor, which was designed to be data center-friendly. At the same meeting, the supervisors, in a 3-2 vote, approved a request from The Curtis Group to rezone approximately 343 acres within the former TOD area for a mixed-use commercial and industrial development, explicitly stating it would not include data centers.
The approved project, named "Eltham Business Park," will be located in Lanexa and comprise commercial outparcels for retail/restaurants, along with several light-industrial buildings. New Kent Director of Community Development Josh Airaghi confirmed that county staff are now tasked with drafting a new data center ordinance featuring strict performance standards, aiming to address citizen concerns and impacts.
Despite assurances from The Curtis Group's representative, Jared Anderson of Roth Jackson law firm, that no data centers are currently contemplated for the business park, local residents and a political candidate, Jason Knapp, voiced strong opposition. They expressed fears that the rezoning would "open the door" for future data center development on the site and called for specific proffers to legally prohibit such uses. Concerns were also raised about potential environmental impacts, power load needs, and the presence of archaeological sites. Supervisors Jordan Stewart and Ronald Stiers cast dissenting votes on the rezoning, with Stewart advocating for a delay until the new data center ordinance is in place.