Pittsylvania supervisors face hours of public comment on Bellaco rezoning; applicantasked to withdraw and board denied that request

Pittsylvania County supervisors heard more than three hours of public comment Tuesday, April 15, on a rezoning petition that would allow a private natural-gas power plant and data centers on roughly 747.49 acres in the Banister (sometimes written in meeting materials as "Baynesville") election district.

The item on the agenda, Case R-25-001 from Bellaco LLC, drew hundreds to Chatham High School and generated sustained public opposition over noise, air and water impacts, historic and church property views, and the project—s potential effect on rural life. During the meeting the applicant asked to withdraw the rezoning request without penalty; the board voted 5 to 2 to deny that withdrawal request, and the chairman then moved to deny the rezoning application. The transcript provided with the meeting does not include a final recorded tally for the rezoning vote.

Why it matters: the rezoning would change parcels currently zoned R-1 (residential suburban subdivision) and A-1 (agricultural) to M-2 (industrial heavy), a classification that the county packet said would permit the proposed utility and data center uses. Opponents said the scale of the project and its emissions would imperil public health, farms, churches and small businesses; supporters argued the site offered water, power and other infrastructure advantages and would bring jobs and new tax revenue.

Applicant—s request and developer status

Attorney Steven Gould, speaking for the applicant, told the board Bellaco had spent months refining proffers including a decibel cap and road improvements and had been negotiating with potential partners and end…