Henry County approves zoning changes, delays data center regulations
The Henry County Board of Supervisors approved general zoning amendments but removed proposed data center regulations from the package. This decision followed a public hearing where residents expressed significant concerns about data center impacts, including water and electricity use, noise, and farmland preservation. The board plans to revisit the data center regulations at a later date.
The Henry County Board of Supervisors convened on Tuesday to vote on a broad package of zoning amendments. However, during a crowded public hearing, the board opted to remove proposed data center regulations from the package following significant public concerns.
Residents voiced strong opposition, highlighting issues such as intensive water and electricity consumption, noise pollution, and the potential impact on agricultural land. Lee Clark, Henry County Director of Planning, Zoning and Inspection, noted that the county currently lacks specific standards for data center development. Political figures, including Democratic candidate Melody Cartwright and U.S. House hopeful Adam Murphy, also urged the board to establish strict controls, with Murphy asserting that data centers were unsuitable for Southwest Virginia. The board intends to revisit the data center regulations at a later date.