Botetourt supervisors OK appointed commission to study proposed Google data center impacts
The Botetourt County Board of Supervisors voted 3-1 to appoint an independent commission to study the potential impacts of a proposed Google data center campus. This decision came despite recommendations from the Planning Commission for a public forum and resident calls for a fully independent review group. Community concerns persist regarding water usage, infrastructure demands, and environmental impacts.
The Botetourt County Board of Supervisors moved forward with forming an independent commission to study the impacts of a proposed Google data center campus, following a 3-1 vote on Tuesday. This decision occurred amidst an hour and a half of public comment from dozens of residents, many of whom urged the supervisors to instead support a fully independent study to rebuild community trust regarding the project's review process.
The county's Planning Commission had previously recommended a public forum to gather more information, particularly on water supply and demand. Residents have voiced significant concerns over the past months regarding the data center's potential effects, including water usage, infrastructure demands, environmental impacts, and the speed of the county's review. Despite criticism from one supervisor who called the chosen approach a "gigantic middle finger," the board majority affirmed their belief that the appointed commission would deliver a "top-quality" study. The specific composition, timeline, and influence of the commission's findings on future project decisions remain unclear, signifying continued debate over the Google data center development.