Green Energy Ventures asks planning commission to defer 7.2M‑square‑foot data‑center rezoning while proponents work with board

Green Energy Ventures presented a rezoning application for a large data-center development and asked the Planning Commission to defer action on Z-2022-00021 until the Board of Supervisors considers the county’s pending text amendment (OA-01-25) that would permit taller industrial buildings by special exception.

Applicant representatives outlined changes to proffers and technical materials in response to public questions. Key proffer changes noted to the commission include a commitment to provide $2,700,000 at the time of the first building permit to enable expedited purchase of a ladder truck for fire-rescue purposes; an increase in the landscape berms along Route 3 and Bloomsbury Road from 12 feet to 16 feet; and a written proffer to repair or replace an adjacent property owner’s well if the owner can demonstrate the applicant’s new well caused the failure.

The applicant described stormwater and water-quality controls required by state regulators. Applicant engineer Andy Gurecki explained the project will reforest a required 100-foot riparian buffer where disturbed and meet DEQ standards for first-flush water quality and post-development quantity control. The applicant also said the design includes rainwater harvesting (cisterns) and other measures to reduce potable water demand.

Municap consultant Emily Metzler presented the project’s economic analysis and explained valuation assumptions used for tax projections. Metzler said the analysis used conservative property-assessment assumptions (real property comparable values in the analysis averaged $274 per square foot) and a personal-property estimate of $300 per square foot. The applicant said the proposed development footprint is large—applicants cited roughly 7,200,000 square feet of proposed development across a site of roughly 300–354 acres, and described phased infrastructure work including off-site road improvements and a traffic signal.

Commissioners raised recurring concerns about density, stormwater runoff on a previously farmed site, water availability, noise, potential diesel-generator emissions and life-safety rescue limitations. Several commissioners recommended phased approvals or other mechanisms so the county can “trust but verify” proffer implementation. Commissioner Nisley said he would “lean” toward phased approvals to allow verification of proffers and mitigation measures before committing the full project.

The applicant requested a deferral. Commissioners voted to defer the application (and two related items) at the applicant’s request until the Board acts on the text amendment; the motion to defer passed on roll call and commission staff recorded unanimous aye votes. The applicant agreed to remain available to answer follow-up questions and to continue outreach to neighboring property owners.