Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Data Centers Zoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Supervisors discuss data‑center ordinance review and possible moratorium; consider special‑use route
Summary
After planning commission feedback, supervisors debated forming a review committee and/or moving data centers from "by-right" to special-use permitting; staff outlined a path for a board-initiated rezoning change and a moratorium effective through Jan. 31, 2026 was proposed for further study.
Fluvanna supervisors on Sept. 17 discussed how to handle future data‑center proposals after the planning commission recommended a review committee and, separately, suggested a temporary halt on new data‑center applications while the county revises rules.
Staff said the planning commission had recommended forming a data‑center ordinance review committee composed of two supervisors and two planning‑commission members and that planners and staff would assist the committee in drafting ordinance language. Another recommendation from the planning commission was to consider a short moratorium on new data‑center applications until the committee completed its work.
Board options discussed: staff presented three main approaches: (1) require a special‑use permit (SUP) for data centers that are currently allowed by right in some industrial zoning; (2) create a dedicated technology or special zoning district with its own standards; or (3) adopt targeted ordinance text changes. Several supervisors favored a faster route — adopting an SUP requirement — and staff said the board can initiate a resolution changing use designation that would automatically go to the planning commission for public hearing.
Proposed timing and moratorium: Board members discussed a resolution at the Oct. 1 meeting that would send the change to the planning commission for a public hearing in November and return to the board for a December public hearing. Separately, supervisors debated language for a moratorium; one supervisor proposed a moratorium effective immediately and continuing through Jan. 31, 2026. Staff said the moratorium could be extended if needed and that the planning commission could choose whether to proceed with a broader technology‑district study after the board action.
Why this matters: Data centers raise technical concerns — water use, power demand, infrastructure and siting — as well as broader questions about land-use, economic development and compatibility with the county's goals. The planning commission and board sought a measured approach that balances economic development with community impacts.
Ending: The board asked staff to prepare a board‑initiated resolution for the Oct. 1 meeting to change data-center approval to a special‑use permitting process; staff also discussed a moratorium that, if adopted, would give staff and the planning commission time to draft new rules and consider whether a separate technology district is warranted.
