Warren County Data Center Application Withdrawn; Supervisors Consider Zoning Changes
Rushmark Properties withdrew its data center rezoning application in Warren County, Virginia, prior to a public hearing, likely due to anticipated strong public opposition. The Warren County Board of Supervisors also voted to proceed with drafting an ordinance for a proposed Zoning Text Amendment, which could change who can initiate rezoning applications, a measure that could impact future data center developments. Citizens raised concerns about water, electricity, and quality of life related to data centers.
The Warren County Board of Supervisors meeting on August 18 was largely focused on data center development, despite an application by Rushmark Properties for a data center rezoning being withdrawn the week prior. This withdrawal preempted a public hearing expected to draw a large number of concerned citizens to the meeting, which had been moved to the Warren County High School auditorium to accommodate the anticipated crowd.
During public comments, only a few of the 18 speakers supported data center development, with Jerome Parz advocating for data center investment only under "strict, enforceable conditions" to protect the county's aquifer, electrical reliability, neighborhoods, emergency services, and rural landscape. Parz emphasized that these protections must be mandatory, legally binding conditions rather than voluntary promises, to ensure responsible development. However, a majority of speakers voiced concerns, citing negative experiences in other Virginia communities with data center development and expressing worries about the county's future as a retirement and tourism destination.
Following the data center discussion, Planning Director Kelly Wahl presented a proposed Zoning Text Amendment, which aims to revise who can initiate a proposition to amend zoning. Currently, property owners, contract purchasers, or their agents can initiate such propositions. The proposed change seeks to preserve the statutory route for owners to rezone specific property while potentially preventing other entities from initiating broader zoning ordinance amendments. The board, advised by County Attorney Jason Ham, voted 5-0 to instruct Planning and Zoning staff to prepare a draft ordinance to amend County Code 180-61, indicating their intent to explore the potential consequences of such a change before a final decision.