At a Crossroads: Spotsylvania residents pack meetings this week to challenge data center project

Spotsylvania County residents, led by the group Safeguard Spotsy, demonstrated strong opposition to the proposed Crossroads Technology Campus this week, packing local board of supervisors and planning commission meetings. The project, developed by RCK Digital Crossroads, LLC, is currently in its planning and permitting phase and requires a Special Use Permit (SUP). Residents expressed significant concerns regarding the data center's potential impacts on power, water, noise, air quality, and overall environmental pollution.

During the meetings, resident Lisa Ehmer requested a more comprehensive follow-up meeting to address community questions, while longtime resident Brian Peyton voiced worries about the long-term ramifications for future generations, urging the board to conduct further research and listen to constituents. A particular concern highlighted was the project's proximity to Lee Hill Elementary School, with Ehmer citing fears about construction dust and increased traffic impacting children.

Spotsylvania Director of Planning and Zoning Kimberly Pomatto clarified that the county had debated data center development through 2025, ultimately reversing a previous decision to allow by-right development in industrial areas. The current policy mandates an SUP, which allows the county to impose specific conditions to mitigate identified impacts. County staff have established conditions for the Crossroads Technology project, including requirements for Tier 4 generators, acoustic mitigation, no use of potable water or groundwater withdrawal, and developer responsibility for wastewater pretreatment, among others. Developers' attorney Charlie Payne stated they are evaluating these new conditions.