Developers aim to build massive data center campus in eastern Goochland

Tract, a land acquisition company, has submitted a pre-application for a conditional use permit to develop the Tuckahoe Technology Park, an 871-acre data center campus in eastern Goochland County, Virginia. This proposal marks the first project within the county's recently established Tech Overlay District, a zoning designation specifically created for data center development.

The project faces considerable opposition from local homeowners, particularly those in the adjacent Mosaic at West Creek neighborhood, who were surprised by the scale and nature of the proposed development. Residents, including Mary Moore, who suffers from pulmonary fibrosis, and Rev. Lisa Sykes, have voiced strong concerns about potential health impacts from diesel generators, particulate emissions, noise pollution, traffic increases, and water usage.

Critics have also raised questions about the process surrounding the Tech Overlay District's creation, specifically the late inclusion of the western property where Tract now plans to build. Resident Tom Rudbusch commented on the lack of transparency in the district's development. Goochland County officials, however, stated they were unaware of Tract's specific proposal for Tuckahoe Tech Park until 11 days after the Tech Overlay District was approved.

The proposal is currently in the pre-application phase. The county has committed to an open public process, and Tract is scheduled to hold a community meeting on July 23 at Goochland High School before the project potentially moves to the Planning Commission for a public hearing.