Amherst County passes new zoning rules for vape shops and data centers
The Amherst County Board of Supervisors approved new zoning ordinances for data centers, changing their status from "by-right" to requiring a special exception permit. This decision, made after significant public debate, establishes stricter regulatory and development standards for future data center facilities in the county.
The Amherst County Board of Supervisors convened for a meeting that saw a packed house, culminating in a nearly four-hour discussion on proposed zoning ordinances. Supervisors ultimately voted to approve significant changes impacting not only vape shops and medicinal marijuana dispensaries but also the development of future data centers within the county.
Under the new regulations, data centers will no longer be considered a "by-right" use, meaning developers must now obtain a special exception permit before commencing any construction. Furthermore, any future data center facilities will be subject to stringent new regulatory and development standards.
The proposed data center regulations sparked considerable debate among Amherst County residents. Some expressed concerns that by outlining a path for compliance, the ordinance might inadvertently signal the county's openness to these energy-intensive facilities, effectively inviting them into the community. Others, while potentially opposing data centers outright, advocated for the immediate passage of some form of regulation. Despite these varied concerns, the supervisors proceeded to pass the regulations, aiming to establish local oversight and stricter standards for future developments.