Fauquier Board of Supervisors moves to restrict data center development
The Fauquier County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to restrict new data centers to planned commercial industrial development (PCID) zoning and require special exceptions for future projects. The rules also require underground power lines and closed-loop or air-cooled systems, citing concerns about grid strain, housing proximity and environmental impacts.
The Fauquier County Board of Supervisors approved a zoning text amendment Oct. 8 that removes data centers as a permitted use in business park districts and limits new facilities to land zoned for planned commercial industrial development. Future PCID data centers must obtain special exceptions, use closed-loop or air-cooled cooling systems and place power lines underground.
The measure passed 4-1, with Lee District Supervisor Daron Culbertson as the only dissenting vote. County staff said business park proposals had largely failed and that suitable locations outside PCID areas were unavailable. The changes do not apply to three PCID projects already approved or in the approval process, including the operational OVHcloud facility.