Goochland residents oppose potential data centers as judge considers lawsuit challenging development district
Hundreds of residents from Goochland and Henrico counties gathered to oppose four potential data center campuses in eastern Goochland. Separately, a judge heard Goochland County’s request to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the county’s data center-friendly technology overlay district but took the decision under advisement.
Residents of Goochland and western Henrico gathered at a community meeting to voice concerns about four potential data center campuses along Route 288, citing noise, property values, health, traffic and pollution. The largest proposals include Tract’s 900-megawatt Tuckahoe Technology Park and three additional potential campuses totaling up to 2,000 megawatts. Tract has submitted a formal application for Tuckahoe, which will be reviewed by the Goochland Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors, while the other projects remain less defined.
The developments are enabled by Goochland’s technology overlay district, which residents are challenging in court. Circuit Judge Timothy Sanner heard arguments on the county’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit and took the matter under advisement. The case alleges the county failed to comply with notice, advertising, public hearing and zoning requirements when adopting the district; county attorneys argue the plaintiffs have not demonstrated specific harm. Dominion Energy’s planned transmission line and substation could serve the area, although the potential data center projects remain in a lengthy power interconnection queue.