Staff presents draft data center performance standards, urging pause until state toolkit

Planning staff presented a draft ordinance to regulate data centers in New Kent County, recommending strict application requirements and a conditional-use-permit (CUP) process limited to industrial zoning. Mr. Oragi, the planning presenter, said the Board of Supervisors had directed staff earlier this year "to develop draft data center standards or an ordinance to address data center impacts and the concerns of the citizens." He framed the draft as an initial, all-encompassing proposal designed to give the county tools to assess proposals.