Prince William County Board of Supervisors rejects data center development proposal
The Prince William County Board of Supervisors unanimously rejected a proposed land use change for a nearly 2000-acre data center project. The decision followed hours of public testimony from both supporters and opponents, with concerns raised about environmental impacts, traffic, and the loss of rural land.
The Prince William County Board of Supervisors in Northern Virginia unanimously voted against a new data center project on Tuesday. The supervisors rejected a proposed land use change for nearly 2000 acres (3 square miles) of land near the Loudoun County line, close to Dulles International Airport, which was intended for data center redevelopment.
The decision came after six hours of public comment where over 100 people expressed their opinions. Opponents rallied outside the county government building, arguing that industrial development of this scale would threaten rural land and strain roads and infrastructure. They raised concerns about traffic, environmental impacts, and the loss of rural character, echoing many of the concerns identified by the county's planning staff. Supporters, however, highlighted potential jobs and economic benefits, advocating for the proposal to advance through the county's review process, noting the area's proximity to internet traffic hubs makes it a prime location for data centers. The vote means the proposal will not move forward.