Leesburg Planning Commission recommends denial of town-plan amendment to allow data centers at Eastern Gateway

The Leesburg Planning Commission on July 17 voted 6–1 to forward a recommendation of denial to the Town Council for a proposed town-plan amendment (TLTPAM20240001) that would add an alternative policy allowing data centers, flex industrial buildings and a town park on three parcels totaling about 101.9 acres north of Route 7 and south of Potomac Station Drive.

The commission's action came after public comments, a staff presentation and an applicant-led presentation that laid out competing claims about traffic, utilities, tree preservation and economic benefits. The motion to recommend denial concluded a multi-hour public discussion in which commissioners and members of the public raised concerns about the proposal's compatibility with the Eastern Gateway District Small Area Plan and unanswered infrastructure questions.

Why it matters: The Eastern Gateway area is a primary entry point to Leesburg and is designated in the Legacy Leesburg plan as a mixed-use, walkable employment center. The amendment would have created a site-specific, alternative policy allowing data centers — uses that attracted strong public concern about noise from generators, potential new high-voltage infrastructure, stormwater impacts and whether existing roads and water supplies can support intensive electrical load.

Public comments: Two speakers who identified themselves as Leesburg residents and area advocates urged caution. Olga Hanover, a Potomac Station resident, said the proposal “goes against the town's plan and the East Gateway District small area plan” and stressed noise, night-time generators and stormwater concerns. She told the commission, “If you can't see this from these towers from your house now, you will once Dominion rebuilds line number 514.”

Jen Bingle, representing the Piedmont Environmental Council, urged the commission to “look at this area holistically” and to include the community fully in any change to the plan. Bingle said the area had been…