New Kent rejects moratorium on data centers, to consider new regulations
New Kent County supervisors voted 3-2 to reject a proposed two-year moratorium on data center applications. The county is considering regulations that would require conditional-use permits, limit facilities to industrial zones, and impose noise, cooling-system, water-use and community-engagement requirements.
The New Kent County Board of Supervisors rejected Chairman Ron Stiers’ proposed two-year halt on accepting and processing data center land-use applications in a 3-2 vote. Supervisors Jordan Stewart and Stiers supported the moratorium, while Thomas Evelyn, Amy Pearson and John Moyer opposed it. The county already has a moratorium on data center applications, according to Pearson, although the proposed measure would have established a two-year halt.
Following the vote, Community Development Director Joshua Airaghi presented draft performance standards for data centers. The proposed ordinance would require conditional-use permits, restrict facilities to industrial zones and establish standards for noise, closed-loop cooling systems and water use, as well as pre-application meetings, community input and technical assessments. The Board of Supervisors may hold a public hearing on the ordinance in March; no data center applications are currently pending.