Planning commission again votes to end by-right data centers
The Prince William County Planning Commission has recommended a zoning text amendment to end "by-right" data center development. The proposed changes would drastically reduce the Data Center Opportunity Zone Overlay District and require special use permits for all new data centers, along with a 500-foot setback from homes and schools. The commission also settled on a 120-day grace period for new applications before the restrictions take effect.
The Prince William County Planning Commission voted 5-3 to recommend that the Board of Supervisors adopt a zoning text amendment to eliminate "by-right" data center development. This change would significantly shrink the county's Data Center Opportunity Zone Overlay District from 9,700 acres to 3,500 acres, requiring all new data center applications to obtain a special use permit, a process involving detailed environmental and community impact reviews.
A key point of contention during the commission's deliberation was the length of the grace period for developers and landowners to submit new applications before the new restrictions take effect. Commissioners deadlocked on proposals for a 180-day window and immediate implementation, ultimately settling on a 120-day grace period. Occoquan Commissioner Raheel Sheikh changed his initial stance to support the 120-day delay, citing the need to advance the measure to the Board of Supervisors by their Sept. 22 meeting. Commissioner Brian Landrum raised concerns about potential lawsuits from developers if a shorter grace period were adopted, arguing it could be seen as depriving property owners of vested rights without due process.
In addition to ending by-right development, the amendment would impose a new requirement for data centers to be located at least 500 feet from homes and schools, a significant increase from the current 50-foot buffer. This marks the second time the planning commission has voted on this measure; a previous vote in July was voided due to improper public hearing advertisement. The proposed amendment is now set to go before the Prince William County Board of Supervisors for final approval.