Prince William County supervisors to take landmark vote on data centers Tuesday
The Prince William County Board of County Supervisors is preparing for a crucial vote on a zoning text amendment that would significantly restrict data center development by eliminating by-right construction and requiring special use permits. This measure, aimed at downsizing the county's Data Center Opportunity Zone Overlay District, has been fast-tracked by county staff. The vote also ties into ongoing concerns about electricity infrastructure and a proposed substation by Dominion Energy, which faces local opposition.
The Prince William County Board of County Supervisors is scheduled to hold a pivotal vote on Tuesday afternoon regarding a zoning text amendment with significant implications for the future of data centers in the county. The amendment, initiated by the Board on June 9 and spearheaded by Brentsville Supervisor Tom Gordy, seeks to eliminate all by-right data center development, mandating that all future projects receive final consideration from the board via a special use permit.
This proposed change would drastically shrink the Data Center Opportunity Zone Overlay District, which currently permits by-right data center construction. The Planning Commission, after initial stalemates, backed the proposal on September 9 with a 120-day grace period, though their recommendations are purely advisory. Supervisors, including Gordy, are expected to vote on his original proposal, which includes a 90-day grace period and no buffer requirements, while a separate issue regarding setbacks from residential areas and schools is likely to be tabled for future discussion.
Simultaneously, the county faces concerns regarding its power infrastructure, with Supervisor Gordy acknowledging the county is "power-constrained" and that no new data center applications have been filed in two years due to lack of power. Residents also expressed dissatisfaction with Dominion Energy's responses regarding a proposed gas-insulated substation at Vint Hill. The Coalition to Protect Prince William County is organizing a rally against the substation, with State Senator Danica Roem and Delegate Elizabeth Guzmán scheduled to attend.