Spotsylvania County Residents Oppose Belvedere Plantation Data Center Development
The Fulks family plans to sell their Belvedere Plantation property in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, for a 633-acre data center campus, sparking significant community opposition. Residents are concerned about the environmental impact, noise, water, and power demands, forming groups to protest the development. The project requires a Special Use Permit, and the county board has adopted new regulations on data center land use and expressed support for a statewide moratorium.
The Fulks family has announced plans to sell their Belvedere Plantation property, a 633-acre site in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, to an unnamed data center developer, a decision that has triggered strong community backlash. Residents of the nearby New Post subdivision and surrounding areas, led by Kelly Shaeffer and the "Block Belvedere Data Center" movement, express dismay and plan to boycott the popular farm's fall festival.
The proposed data center campus, which has not yet submitted a formal plan to the Spotsylvania County planning department, faces opposition over concerns regarding viewshed, noise, pollution, water, and power demands. Robyn Castles, a Caroline County resident, described the project as a "nightmare," citing fears of air pollution and the desecration of the area's rural character. Cindy Staats, founder of the newly-formed organization Safeguard Spotsy, advocates for a pause on data center development in the county, noting that eight campuses have already been approved and ten more applications are pending or under review. Staats highlighted concerns about the project's size, lack of natural buffers, and the potential impact on air quality and property values.
Donnie Fulks, president of Belvedere Plantation, stated that the sale was a difficult but necessary decision for the family's future, emphasizing that the land has been zoned industrial for decades. The family is collaborating with RenUSA, a public relations firm, to engage with the community and address concerns. Dave D'Onofrio, senior vice president of RenUSA, confirmed that the Spotsylvania Board of Supervisors recently voted to require a Special Use Permit for all data center projects, including those on industrially zoned land, passed a resolution supporting a statewide moratorium on the industry, and amended the Comprehensive Plan to recommend limiting data centers to 45% of industrial land. Berkeley District Supervisor David Goosman affirmed that all projects would receive a fair evaluation despite community feedback.