Chesapeake explores stricter regulations for data centers near residential areas

Chesapeake city officials are actively developing stricter regulations for data centers near residential communities, a move prompted by significant public opposition to a rejected 350,000-square-foot data center project last summer. The Chesapeake City Council had denied a rezoning request for a facility near the Etheridge Lakes residential community, leading to a decision in January to draft new zoning ordinance amendments. Currently, data centers are permitted by-right in industrial, business, office, or institutional zones in Chesapeake, not requiring direct council approval unless a rezoning is necessary. However, concerns from residents about potential environmental impacts, including noise and visual disturbances, and strain on city infrastructure have spurred the government's proactive approach. Chesapeake Planning Director Jimmy McNamara stated that officials are consulting with Northern Virginia localities, such as Prince William and Loudoun counties, known for their extensive data center development, to inform the new guidelines. Council member Daniel Whitaker emphasized the need for conditional use guidelines to allow the city to be more proactive in mitigating community impact. While a timeline for presenting the new zoning ordinance to the council is not yet set, the city anticipates future data center development requests and is "setting the groundwork" to manage them effectively. The proposed regulations aim to consider data center development on a case-by-case basis, tailored to specific locations.