Environmental groups protest sale of county land for a data center

Fairfax County is planning to sell 41.7 acres of land in Chantilly to Starwood Capital Group for $166.8 million. Environmental groups are urging the Board of Supervisors to provide more information and public transparency before proceeding with the sale, citing concerns over the environmental impact of data centers and the significant tax breaks they receive. The county argues the sale is contingent on relocating and rebuilding police training facilities on the remaining 86.2 acres, and that the proceeds will fund the construction of a new Criminal Justice Academy. Board Chair Jeffrey McKay rejected a proposal from local HOA leaders to swap the land with a different site owned by Starwood, where the county could develop affordable housing instead.