Virginia Beach City Council votes against data centers
The Virginia Beach City Council unanimously voted for a one-year moratorium on new data center permits. This decision aims to give the city time to review existing zoning regulations and establish stricter guidelines for future data center developments, particularly for hyperscale facilities.
The Virginia Beach City Council unanimously voted 10-0 to enact a 12-month moratorium on issuing permits for any new data centers within the city. The decision was made to allow city officials time to review current zoning regulations and develop more stringent criteria for data center proposals.
This action follows the City's Planning Commission's observation of a need for more comprehensive guidelines. Mayor Dyer stated that while the city had previously sought to attract data centers, the nature of hyperscale data centers has evolved significantly since 2017, necessitating a pause. He emphasized that the moratorium is a preventative measure to enforce stricter guidelines and ensure the quality of life is maintained.
The Mayor also noted that the decision is not permanent and can be altered if needed in the future, especially if technology advances with solutions like micro centers. City staff will continue to work on the exact language for a data center ordinance during this period.