‘Not a data center’: Supervisors OK Nokesville construction yard rezoning

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors unanimously approved a rezoning request for a 24-acre property in Nokesville, changing its designation from agricultural to heavy industrial. The land, located at 13505 Warrenton Road, is owned by Elder Ramos of HaiJoe Stamped Concrete, Patios and Decks, who intends to use it for storing construction supplies and preparing for outdoor deck and patio installations.

Opposition arose from groups like the Coalition to Protect Prince William County, led by Executive Director Elena Schlossberg, and local residents. They argued that the board bypassed a required comprehensive plan amendment, expressing concern that this deviation from the county's long-range plan would establish a harmful precedent for future land-use decisions.

Supervisors, including Tom Gordy, R-Brentsville, supported the rezoning, asserting it would help diversify the county's economy and prevent over-reliance on data centers, specifically stating they "don't want data centers in Nokesville." David McGettigan, the county's long-range planning manager, clarified that a comprehensive plan amendment was not needed because the owner agreed to legally binding proffers that exclude data centers and other specific uses normally permitted in heavy industrial zoning, effectively making the project consistent with light industrial uses outlined in the comprehensive plan. This decision, while not directly related to a data center project, was framed as a strategic move to manage and limit data center sprawl within Prince William County.