King George supervisors approve Dahlgren West data‑center rezoning, special exception and proffers
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Summary
After a multi‑hour public hearing and developer presentation, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve Dahlgren Innovation Hub’s rezoning, comprehensive‑plan amendment and special‑exception requests for a roughly 485–497‑acre data‑center campus, accepting a package of proffers that the developer says will limit local water use and fund public improvements.
The King George County Board of Supervisors voted in a series of unanimous roll calls on Aug. 19 to approve a rezoning, a change to the county comprehensive plan and a special‑exception permit that allow Dahlgren Innovation Hub’s proposed Dahlgren West data‑center campus to move forward.
Developers told the board the project would sit on approximately 485–497 acres on the west side of Route 301 near Washington Mill Road and would be limited to data‑center and accessory uses. The company presented proffers it says will protect nearby neighborhoods and public services, including a minimum 40% open‑space commitment, a 100‑foot undisturbed buffer around the site, at least 250‑foot building setbacks, and a proffer that the project “will not use county well water for any cooling purposes.” The developer also proposed road improvements, a perimeter public trail to be built and maintained at its expense, and a set of cash and in‑kind contributions the company estimated at roughly $12 million in value.
"Dahlgren West is a proposed data center campus strategically located on approximately 485 acres," the developer told the board during the presentation. The team added that the project had been refined after community meetings and that proffers were intended to reduce visual and environmental impacts.
Supervisors and staff pressed the team on technical details. County staff confirmed the package included a transportation impact analysis reviewed by VDOT and a noise study reviewed by a third party; planning staff told the board the Planning Commission had recommended forwarding the applications for approval. The developer said it had proffered Tier‑4 compliant generators and three years of post‑construction soil and water testing for each building, and that it would fund fire‑rescue training and equipment commitments in its proffer package.
Several residents spoke at the hearing. James Shaw, an EDA member and Claydale resident, said the project fit the county’s economic development goals but reiterated opposition to data‑center cooling that draws on well water. Another attendee urged caution on traffic and infrastructure impacts. The public comment period was left briefly open to reflect late changes to the proffers and then closed before the board took final votes.
Supervisor motions to adopt the rezoning, the comprehensive‑plan amendment and the special‑exception ordinance (including the height and fence exceptions requested) were seconded and passed by roll call; the board also approved the highway‑corridor overlay exceptions and accepted the developer’s written proffers into the public record.
What happens next: County staff will continue to review site plans, permitting and third‑party studies required before building permits can be issued. Several proffers — including third‑party inspection of the donated water infrastructure and a legal‑fee escrow to reimburse the county for enforcement costs — require action or verification before occupancy. The developer stated it is responsible for on‑site substation costs and must work with Dominion and PJM for power delivery; the developer said Dominion has placed the project in its early batching process for capacity.
Board members said they will monitor implementation and return to the items if compliance or verification questions arise.
