Quantum Park data-center zoning application sent back to work session after commissioners raise design and proffer issues

The Planning Commission on June 12 voted to forward the Quantum Park ZCPA application to a future work session after staff and commissioners identified several outstanding technical and design issues. Commissioners voted 5-2 to send the application back to the applicant for additional revisions; Commissioners Cliff Jasper and Baez Myers opposed the motion.

Why it matters: Quantum Park is a proposed data-center campus on a roughly 40.2-acre parcel north of Loudoun County Parkway (ZCPA 2020-378). Data-center projects in Loudoun have raised frequent planning questions on stormwater control, ecological impacts, building massing and the siting and screening of utility substations. The commission’s decision delays a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors while the applicant and staff work to address the listed concerns.

Staff summary of outstanding issues

Darby Metcalfe of the Department of Planning and Zoning summarized staff’s outstanding concerns. Staff told commissioners that the submission needs clearer, measurable proffer language on stormwater management (DEQ design standard commitments as measurable proffers), and requested removal or narrower commitments related to river and stream corridor encroachments that staff said conflicted with the 2019 General Plan guidance. Architectural design commitments and substation screening language were also described as subjective in the current draft and in need of specific, enforceable commitments. Staff said the applicant had proposed to dedicate right-of-way for future Lockridge Road but that the proffer language should be clarified to dedicate the expected width rather than an aspirational…