Developer files application to bring data center to heart of Madison Heights
Old Dominion Capital Partners LLC has filed an application to build a data center with five buildings and an electric substation in Madison Heights, Amherst County, Virginia. This comes as the Board of Supervisors recently changed zoning rules for data centers, leading to discussions about whether the project falls under old or new regulations. Opposition to data centers due to environmental concerns was voiced during the meeting, while proponents highlighted potential economic benefits.
Developer Old Dominion Capital Partners LLC has submitted plans for a major data center development on a 93-acre property in Madison Heights, Amherst County, Virginia. The proposed project includes five data center buildings, an electric substation, and over 300 parking spaces.
The application was filed on August 18th, the same day the Amherst County Board of Supervisors voted to change zoning rules for data centers. This has led to questions about whether the proposed data center will be subject to the new special permit rules or older 'by right' laws. County Administrator Jeremy Bryant stated that more information would be available soon after the County Attorney consults with the Board on the legal implications. Supervisor Claudia Tucker, who motioned to table the vote on changing the zoning rules, indicated that the county currently considers the developer's application incomplete.
During the August 18th meeting, public sentiment was divided. Opponents voiced concerns, describing data centers as "massive environmental disaster areas," while supporters emphasized the potential for tens of millions of dollars in annual revenue for Amherst County. Old Dominion Capital Partners LLC and the project engineer declined to comment.