Choosing data centers: Keeping Loudoun rural
Loudoun County, VA, is grappling with balancing rapid data center development in its eastern half with preserving the rural character of its western areas. The county government is implementing new policies and zoning standards through its Data Center Standards and Locations initiative. A county supervisor has proposed a moratorium on new data center applications amidst growing community opposition to unchecked growth.
Loudoun County, Virginia, known as "data center alley" for its over 250 data centers concentrated in the eastern region, is facing a critical challenge in preserving the rural character of its western half. The county's proximity to Washington D.C. and historical policy decisions have concentrated urbanization and industrial development, prompting Supervisor Juli Briskman to lament, "We industrialized Loudoun" instead of merely urbanizing it.
The county's 2019 comprehensive plan established urban, suburban, rural, and "transition" policy areas (TPA) to guide development. However, Trinity Mills of the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy notes that the TPA, intended as a buffer, has been significantly eroded by data center applications. The high prices developers offer for land ($4-6 million per acre) displace other uses, pushing even warehousing projects into rural towns like Purcellville.
While data centers contribute substantial revenue to Loudoun County, funding new firehouses and schools, public sentiment is shifting. Mills observes that while economic benefits are undeniable, there's a growing "push back on the continued approval and the continued out-of-control growth of the industry." Buddy Rizer, executive director of the Loudoun County Department of Economic Development, acknowledges the challenge of balancing revenue with other considerations like additional power lines.
In response, the Loudoun County Data Center Standards and Locations initiative, launched in February 2024, seeks to regulate development. Phase 1, concluded in March 2025, removed data centers as a "by-right" use in many areas, requiring special exceptions. Phase 2 is focused on establishing new zoning standards. Supervisor Briskman is actively pushing for an acceleration of this process and has proposed a moratorium on new data center applications, stating, "The community is screaming bloody murder. The community is done." Michael Whitlock of Sabey Data Centers acknowledged that while data centers can be good neighbors, "We're visitors. Because the residents were here first."