Town Council Agrees to Submit Data Center Definition and Prohibition Language to Outside Legal Counsel for Review
The Front Royal Town Council has agreed to submit proposed language for defining and prohibiting data centers in all zoning designations to outside legal counsel for review. This action follows a prior rejection of an ordinance that would have allowed data centers and the establishment of a local moratorium. A vote on the prohibition language is anticipated in September.
The Front Royal Town Council held a work session on August 3, where a key discussion revolved around data center regulations. The council considered definitions and prohibition language crafted by the Town Planning Commission. This follows the council's June 22 decision to reject a restrictive ordinance that would have permitted data centers and to direct the commission to develop prohibition language across all zoning designations.
While council members appeared comfortable with the commission's draft, Vice-Mayor Amber Veitenthal suggested sending the document to outside legal counsel for review. The council reached a consensus to do so, aiming for a vote on the amendment at their regular meeting in September, adhering to the 90-day period set in June. Veitenthal noted a movement in Richmond to establish a statewide moratorium on data center applications, indicating Front Royal is at the forefront of this trend with its already established local moratorium. However, a staff memo characterized the prohibition recommendation as a significant departure from existing policy and the comprehensive plan, necessitating an adjustment to the plan if adopted.