Board approves revised proffers for Innovation on the Parkway data center; project faces split vote
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Summary
The Board approved a proffer amendment that increases allowable height and floor-area for the existing University Boulevard site in the Innovation Small Area Plan. Supporters said the revised design and proffers improve a by‑right outcome; opponents urged denial, saying the county should limit new data center capacity.
Prince William County supervisors voted 5–2 on Oct. 28 to approve a proffer amendment allowing increased height and floor-area ratio for a data center redevelopment at University Boulevard in the Innovation Small Area Plan.
The applicant proposed raising allowable building height (excluding mechanical screening) and a higher floor-area ratio to enable redevelopment of an existing telecommunications/data center building. The amendment includes proffers with design commitments, additional planting buffers, generator siting and sound standards, and sustainability measures the applicant agreed to provide.
Supporters, including business representatives and developers, said the proposal modernizes an existing site, brings better architecture and landscaping to a prominent corridor near George Mason University and Innovation Town Center, and secures community benefits that would not be guaranteed if the site were redeveloped strictly through existing by‑right entitlements.
Opponents at the public hearing—including community members and neighborhood activists—pressed supervisors to deny the request. Speakers argued the amendment would increase site capacity, drive additional power and water demand, and further concentrate data center development in parts of the county they described as already saturated. Dozens of residents from several nearby neighborhoods urged the board to preserve the comprehensive-plan vision for office mixed use and to protect nearby and future residences.
Planning staff recommended approval with the applicant’s proffers; the planning commission also recommended approval. The board approved the application 5–2. Supervisors Marta Jefferson and Supervisor Vega voted no.