Prince William supervisors to take landmark vote on data centers Tuesday
The Prince William Board of County Supervisors is preparing for a pivotal vote on a zoning text amendment that would significantly reduce the Data Center Opportunity Zone Overlay District and mandate special use permits for all future data center developments. This move is a response to increasing resident concerns about data center sprawl and the county's constrained power grid, which is also highlighted by issues with Dominion Energy's transmission lines and a proposed substation. Opposition groups are organizing a rally against the substation on the day of the board's vote.
The Prince William Board of County Supervisors in Virginia is poised for a significant vote on Tuesday that could drastically alter the future of data center development within the county. The board will consider a zoning text amendment, spearheaded by Brentsville Supervisor Tom Gordy, aimed at shrinking the existing Data Center Opportunity Zone Overlay District and eliminating "by-right" data center construction. If passed, all future data center projects would require a special use permit, ensuring direct board approval. This initiative stems from a June 9 board decision and follows the Prince William Planning Commission's recommendation to back the proposal with a suggested 120-day grace period, though the commission's recommendations are advisory.
The impending vote has generated considerable public interest and concern, particularly regarding the county's strained electricity grid and the visual impact of new infrastructure. Residents and supervisors alike, including Gordy, have voiced worries about the county being "power-constrained," with existing data centers reportedly unable to operate due to lack of power. Adding to these concerns, a rally organized by the Coalition to Protect Prince William County is scheduled for Tuesday evening against a proposed Dominion Energy gas-insulated substation in Vint Hill, which is crucial for the area's power supply but faces local opposition.
Supervisor Gordy has indicated he will vote against the substation, emphasizing the broader challenges the county faces in managing rapid development and its power needs. While the vote on the core zoning amendment is expected to proceed, a separate proposal for a 500-foot buffer between data centers and residential areas/schools is likely to be tabled for a later date, requiring a distinct zoning text amendment process. The outcome of Tuesday's vote is expected to have "sweeping implications" for data center industry operations in Prince William County.