Spotsylvania supervisors vote on limit to Industrial land dedicated to data centers
The Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to amend its Comprehensive Plan, limiting data centers to 45% of available industrial land. This decision, driven by public concern and an active opposition group, is seen as a first step in regulating the industry's growth and impact on natural resources and energy consumption in the county. Supervisors also previously eliminated by-right development for data centers, now requiring Special Use Permits.
The Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors recently voted 3-2 to amend its Comprehensive Plan, a crucial document guiding land use, to stipulate that data centers are recommended to occupy no more than 45% of available industrial land within the county. This decision follows earlier actions, including a February vote requiring Special Use Permits for all data centers in industrial zones, thereby eliminating any by-right development.
The move is a response to escalating public concerns about the data center industry's impact on natural resources and energy consumption, highlighted by active grassroots groups such as Safeguard Spotsy. Supervisors Lori Hayes (Lee Hill District) and Deborah Frazier (Salem District) supported the 45% limit proposed by Drew Mullins (Courtland District), who emphasized it as a conservative starting point that can be revisited. Supervisors Chris Yakabouski (Battlefield District) and David Goosman (Berkeley District) voted against the 45%, advocating for an even lower limit than the staff's recommended 55%.
While Supervisor Goosman expressed a desire for a lower percentage, he nonetheless called the vote a "great first step" in mitigating industry impacts and sending a clear message to constituents and developers about the county's intent to slow down data center growth. The board had previously approved eight data centers, with ten more applications pending, and the new 45% limit designates approximately 2,773 acres for future data center development out of the county's 6,106 industrial acres.
Additionally, the board supported State Sen. Glen Sturtevant's call for a statewide data center moratorium, though no such plans are currently in progress. The Planning Commission continues to work on a broader update to the Comprehensive Plan, expected by year-end, which will further guide the management of the data center industry in Spotsylvania.