Stafford approves data center with reduced setbacks
Stafford County supervisors approved Falmouth Tech LLC’s two-building Accokeek Center data center campus and related electrical substation on separate 4-3 votes. The approval allows reduced residential setbacks, while imposing conditions on open space, tree preservation, water use, power-service verification and local contracting.
Stafford County supervisors approved Falmouth Tech LLC’s proposed Accokeek Center data center campus in the Falmouth District on separate 4-3 votes. The project could include up to 590,000 square feet of data center space on approximately 121 acres, along with an electrical substation. Supervisors rezoned eight parcels for heavy industrial use and approved a conditional use permit for the substation, reducing required residential setbacks from 750 feet to 550 feet along some boundaries and 399 feet next to a parcel protected by a restrictive covenant.
The project still requires site-plan and utility approvals. Conditions include at least 40% open space, preservation of 45 acres of trees, Tier 4 generators, a ban on groundwater and potable water for industrial cooling, and written confirmation from the electric utility on the timeline for power service. Residents raised concerns about setbacks, transmission routing, Accokeek Creek and nearby homes, while the developer cited mitigation measures, construction jobs and an estimated $13.5 million in annual county tax revenue. Supervisor Crystal Vanuch’s motion to delay the vote for a fuller review of incentive-adjusted revenue estimates failed.