Data center plan, Rosie's measure stir reaction in Amherst
A proposed data center project in Madison Heights, Amherst County, Virginia, is facing strong public opposition due to concerns about its impact on the power grid, water supply, and local character. The project's zoning status is uncertain following a recent ordinance change, with residents advocating for a moratorium. The Amherst County Board of Supervisors is addressing a legal question regarding the project's compliance with the new zoning requirements.
A proposed data center near the Madison Heights Town Center in Amherst County, Virginia, has generated significant public comment and opposition at a recent Board of Supervisors meeting. Residents have expressed concerns about the project's impact on the power grid, water supply, and the county's rural character, describing the development as a "massive concrete warehouse" with "overwhelming and irreplaceable drains" on resources.
Old Dominion Capital Partners LLC, with Sam Patel as its registered agent, submitted a site plan on August 18 for a data center comprising four buildings and a substation behind the Seminole shopping center. This submission occurred on the same day the Amherst County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to pass a new ordinance requiring data centers to obtain a special exception permit in M-1 industrial zoning districts, where they were previously permitted "by-right." A legal question now before the board is whether the project, submitted before the ordinance took effect, should be subject to the old or new zoning requirements.
Amherst residents like Sherry Carton, Jennifer Casey, and Barbara Pryor have voiced strong opposition, highlighting the lack of community benefit, potential strain on infrastructure, and the project's size (1.2 million square feet). Carton requested a three-month moratorium to allow for a petition to gauge public sentiment, while Casey pointed to current drought conditions as a reason to delay. Samantha Salvi echoed calls for a ban, stating that the application's timing felt like an attempt to circumvent regulations.
The Board of Supervisors held a closed session to discuss "probable litigation" related to data centers, though County Attorney Mark Popovich declined to comment on the specifics. Supervisor Claudia Tucker stated she was unaware of the application's timing relative to the ordinance vote. The ongoing debate also encompasses a separate referendum to bring a Rosie's Gaming Emporium to the county, but the data center proposal remains a highly contentious issue.