Comprehensive plan update adds language acknowledging limits of local control over data center siting

Berkeley Group told the Planning Commission it added a clarifying paragraph to the conserve-area description in the draft comprehensive plan after receiving public comment about data centers sited in areas the county labeled "conserve." The new language explains that "certain West Virginia state and federal laws can override or significantly limit the county's ability to conserve land by requiring siting of certain large commercial and industrial uses," and does not specifically single out data centers.