Prince William Supervisors Eye Data Center Overlay End

Prince William County supervisors are advancing efforts to revoke the "by-right" development status for data centers within the county's Data Center Opportunity Zone Overlay District. This move aims to ensure that all future data center projects undergo thorough review by the county's Planning Department, Planning Commission, and the Board of Supervisors, a process currently bypassed under the existing overlay.

Occoquan District Supervisor Kenny Boddye, who initiated the directive last year, stated the proposed zoning text amendment would restrict further by-right development, making board approval mandatory for all new data center projects. Brentsville Supervisor Tom Gordy's resolution, passed at the June 9 board meeting, directs staff to continue working on the amendment, with a target for Planning Commission consideration by late summer and final board action in late 2026 or early 2027. Existing and already approved data center projects within the 2016-created overlay would not be affected by this change, which primarily focuses on requiring special use permits for future developments.