During commissioners’ time on Oct. 16, Fauquier County planning staff informed the commission of a recently filed rezoning amendment for Remington Technology Park that seeks flexibility to supply temporary on‑site power. Staff said the amendment was submitted last week and explained that the developer is encountering a timing mismatch between the data center build‑out and Dominion Energy’s ability to provide sufficient electric service. To bridge that gap the applicant proposes a private gas turbine yard to provide supplemental power for buildings as needed until Dominion completes the required transmission and substation upgrades, at which point the gas turbine yard would be decommissioned, according to staff.

Staff said the project has previously been approved by the planning commission (2018) and noted the current amendment would formalize shuffling of building orientation already performed because of wetlands and engineering constraints. Staff said conditions related to screening, buffer, permitted uses and decommissioning of any temporary gas turbine yard have been discussed with the applicant but that staff had not yet completed detailed review. Commissioners asked for archival materials on the 2018 approval and for staff to summarize prior approvals; staff agreed to provide those documents and to include a summary in future reports.

Staff said Dominion previously approved a substation on site in the 2018 approval but that Dominion’s build‑out schedule (staff referenced 2030 or 2032 as potential horizons) and the developer’s construction schedule are not aligned. Staff said the applicant is seeking an amendment to allow a temporary gas‑fired turbine yard as a contingency rather than pause construction while awaiting utility capacity. Staff described the request as pending and under review; no formal action was taken at the work session.