Spotsylvania planning commissioner comes out in support of data center watchdog organization
The Spotsylvania County Planning Commission advanced an updated Comprehensive Plan in a unanimous vote, sending it to the Board of Supervisors for consideration. The plan would limit data center development to 45% of available industrially zoned land, while Planning Commission Chair Tim Gronau publicly acknowledged the concerns of the Safeguard Spotsy watchdog group despite previously supporting the Crossroads Technology Campus.
Spotsylvania County Planning Commission Chair Tim Gronau wore a Safeguard Spotsy shirt during a commission meeting, signaling recognition of residents who oppose additional data center development in the county. Safeguard Spotsy founder Cindy Staats said Gronau agreed to wear the shirt as long as it did not carry an explicit anti-data-center message. Gronau said the gesture was intended to show that commissioners were listening to community concerns, not to reject data centers outright.
The commission voted 5-0 to advance an updated Comprehensive Plan to the Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors. The proposal incorporates a limit on data center development covering 45% of available industrially zoned land and focuses future growth on infill and already-served areas. The supervisors are expected to vote on the plan before the end of the year. Gronau previously voted to recommend approval of the Crossroads Technology Campus, which the commission supported 4-2.