Hampton Roads cities are taking very different approaches to the future of data centers in the region
Hampton Roads cities are adopting diverse strategies for managing data center development. Chesapeake's Planning Commission has recommended new zoning rules and a citywide policy, which now awaits approval from the City Council. Meanwhile, Suffolk has enacted a temporary moratorium, while Virginia Beach has taken a very restrictive stance.
Cities across the Hampton Roads region are implementing varied approaches to the development of data centers. Chesapeake's Planning Commission has voted to recommend new zoning regulations and a comprehensive citywide policy concerning data center locations. These recommendations, which include rezoning industrial districts and creating an overlay district for data centers, were approved following months of public meetings and debate.
Residents voiced both support for a measured approach to economic development and concerns about industrial-scale data centers encroaching on residential areas. Lee Damore, a resident, praised Chesapeake's deliberate strategy to establish guidelines before approving large-scale facilities. The final decision on the Planning Commission's recommendations now rests with the Chesapeake City Council.
Other cities in the region have taken different paths. Newport News recently saw the groundbreaking of a new data center at Jefferson Lab, while Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer expressed strong opposition to data center development. Suffolk has approved a temporary moratorium on new data centers, and Norfolk, Hampton, and Portsmouth have yet to declare their positions.
The conversation has also extended to the state level, with Virginia lawmakers, including Sen. Louise Lucas, questioning the tax incentives provided to data center developers and advocating for them to contribute more to state services.