Week Ahead for October 26, 2026: Gander North development for up to 237 units to go before Albemarle Planning Commission on Tuesday
Nelson County officials are reviewing a draft zoning and subdivision ordinance that would establish definitions and permitting requirements for enterprise and hyperscale data centers. The proposal would require a site assessment before an applicant could seek a special-use permit, but the ordinance has not yet been adopted.
Nelson County’s Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission are scheduled to review final revisions to a draft zoning and subdivision ordinance. Community feedback on the draft included questions about the future of data centers, which are already addressed in the county’s existing code.
The proposed ordinance would define enterprise data centers as facilities smaller than 40,000 square feet and using up to 20 megawatts of power, while larger facilities would be classified as hyperscale data centers. Both categories would require a site assessment before an application for a special-use permit could proceed. The officials are reviewing the draft before a future vote, and no specific data center project or developer is identified.