Loudoun County Supervisor requests data center moratorium as Amazon prepares for new site
Loudoun County Supervisor Juli Briskman is requesting a data center moratorium due to community pushback and environmental concerns, as Amazon submits plans for an 800,000 sq ft data center. Briskman contends the site is unsuitable and plans a town hall for public input. The Board of Supervisors may consider the moratorium in September.
Loudoun County Supervisor Juli Briskman, representing the Algonkian district, is advocating for a data center moratorium in the county due to significant community opposition and environmental concerns. Her call comes as Amazon recently submitted a site plan to develop an 800,000-square-foot data center on the former George Washington University Virginia Science and Technology Center campus, which Amazon acquired earlier this year. The proposed site is located along George Washington Boulevard, near University Drive and Highland Vista Drive, and would feature multiple buildings.
Supervisor Briskman expressed strong disapproval of the proposed location, stating it is "absolutely one of the most inappropriate places in the entire county to put data centers." She highlighted concerns about the site's close proximity to feeder streams leading to the Potomac River, residential areas, and a local park. Briskman noted that existing zoning guidelines might allow Amazon to proceed with the project "by right," potentially bypassing extensive public review processes.
In response to public outcry and the company's filing, Briskman plans to host a town hall to allow residents to voice their concerns and is exploring various options to address the development. She has also formally requested Loudoun County staff to investigate the feasibility of implementing a data center moratorium. The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors could potentially take action on this matter as early as September during a meeting in Ashburn. Amazon, for its part, stated its long-standing commitment to investing in Loudoun County and expressed a desire to collaborate with the county and community stakeholders as the review process unfolds.