Scott County Planning Commission to Hold Public Hearing on Data Center Zoning
The Scott County Planning Commission in Virginia will hold a public hearing to consider changing the county's zoning ordinance to include data centers. This proposed change would allow data centers as a miscellaneous use in commercial and industrial districts. The initiative comes as Southwest Virginia is being marketed for its cheaper land and low tax rates for data center development.
The Scott County Planning Commission in Virginia is scheduled to hold a public hearing on September 14 at 6 p.m. in Gate City to consider amendments to the county's zoning ordinance. The proposed changes would specifically include data centers as a permissible miscellaneous use within commercial and industrial districts.
This consideration arises as Southwest Virginia is increasingly promoted for data center development due to its affordable land and favorable tax rates. In March 2021, Scott County, along with other coalfield counties, agreed to a 24-cent per $100 of assessed value tax on data center equipment and subsequently passed a resolution expressing support for attracting such facilities.
The discussion highlights the contrasting views on data center development: proponents emphasize the economic benefits, including job creation and tax revenue, while opponents raise concerns about their environmental impact and quality of life, citing significant water and energy demands.