Chesterfield County Halts New Data Center Proposals, Google Projects Move Forward
Chesterfield County leaders have halted all new data center proposals by amending zoning rules to require a conditional use permit and public hearing. Three previously approved Google data center projects, one already under construction, will proceed. County officials anticipate significant future tax revenue from these projects.
Chesterfield County leaders have decided to halt any new data center proposals within the county. This decision was announced in a press conference with Deputy County Administrators Matt Harris and Jesse Smith. The county currently has three data center campuses in operation, along with three Google data center campus projects that were previously approved, one of which is now under construction.
The halt on new proposals stems from the Board of Supervisors amending the zoning ordinance, which now requires developers to obtain a conditional use permit, face the board, and hold a public hearing, instead of being able to build "by right." Jesse Smith stated that this establishes the "universe of data centers moving forward," meaning the county will not accept any more projects.
Despite the new restrictions, residents cannot block the three existing Google projects, as their permits have already been approved and are considered final. Matt Harris highlighted the significant economic benefit, stating that the tax revenue from these data centers, once operational in about ten years, has the potential to more than double what Dominion Energy, the current top taxpayer, contributes. Google projects 300 to 500 million per building.