Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Datacenter topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board votes to disband Data Center Oversight advisory group after divided debate
Summary
After months of debate over data‑center development and neighborhood impacts, the Board of County Supervisors voted to disband the Data Center Oversight advisory group in a 4–2 vote on Oct. 7. Supporters said the group’s work has run its course; opponents argued residents still need the forum to raise concerns.
The Prince William Board of County Supervisors voted on Oct. 7 to disband the Data Center Oversight advisory group (DCOAG), a volunteer body created to gather resident input on data‑center siting and impacts. The motion passed after a heated exchange among supervisors about the group’s effectiveness and role.
Supervisor Andre Angry, who proposed disbanding the group, told the board the advisory body had completed substantial work and that continuing it was not productive. "They have literally put together a game plan that we have listened to for 2 years and literally these 3 items... we would have had the hearing for the noise ordinance today," Angry said during the meeting. He argued moving forward with other county actions—ordinance updates, permitting changes and enforcement—was the next step.
Other supervisors, including Suwesra Vega, urged caution. Vega said the group was formed to give voice to residents living near data‑center developments and that disbanding it now would silence a constituency still coping with new applications. "We have given folks the opportunity to be a part of the decision making process and to advise us," she told colleagues, and asked Angry to withdraw the directive. When he declined, the board converted the directive into a motion and voted; the final tally was 4 in favor, 2 opposed. Two supervisors voted no and one supervisor was absent.
What the vote does The board’s action removes the county‑created advisory forum that had met during the past two years to advise staff and provide recommendations on noise, buffer and land‑use concerns tied to data‑center development. County staff will continue work on discrete regulatory items—such as possible noise ordinance changes and code updates—through normal departmental channels and future board work sessions.
Context Data‑center projects have been a source of repeated public hearings, technical analysis and civic debate in Prince William County. Residents who live near proposed or operating facilities have raised concerns about noise, traffic, light, and compatibility with nearby housing. The advisory group had been one of several channels for residents and stakeholders to present technical and neighborhood perspectives directly to staff and supervisors.
Board members said they expect staff to complete standing items that were on the advisory group’s agenda, either through departmental rulemaking, planning applications or a forthcoming board work session on data‑center policy issues.
Ending Supporters of the advisory group said they would continue to organize locally; others said the county needs to move to regulatory changes. The board directed staff and the county attorney’s office to continue drafting code amendments and other measures related to data‑center impacts.
