Henry County supervisors will consider data centers, battery energy storage in zoning rules
Henry County, Virginia, is moving to establish specific zoning regulations for data centers and battery energy storage systems, as its current ordinance lacks rules for these developments. The board of supervisors will discuss the proposed rules and plans to seek public comments in late July before a potential vote.
Henry County, Virginia, is moving to establish specific zoning regulations for data centers and battery energy storage systems, which are currently not covered by its existing ordinance. The Henry County Board of Supervisors is set to discuss these proposed rules at an upcoming meeting, with plans to open them for public comment in late July. The county's planning commission has already reviewed the changes and held a hearing in April, where no public comments were received.
The initiative comes amidst growing controversy in Virginia regarding data centers, primarily due to concerns about noise, significant electricity and water consumption, and large land requirements. Henry County currently hosts no data centers or large-scale battery energy storage systems, making these proposed regulations proactive. The planning and zoning department has recommended that the supervisors schedule a final public hearing for July 28, preceding a vote on the comprehensive zoning amendments that also include provisions for solar farms and other structures.