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Dahlgren West developers present data‑center campus plan; proffers include trail, open space and workforce funds
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Summary
Developers of 'Dahlgren West' presented a conditional rezoning proposal for a multi‑building data‑center campus along Route 301, offering proffers that include a 40% open‑space commitment, a community trail, a 250‑ft setback, $1M for parks and recreation and $500k for workforce development; board members requested detailed proffers, screening and utility commitments for follow‑up.
Representatives for the Dahlgren West data‑center campus gave the Board of Supervisors a voluntary presentation July 15 outlining a conditional rezoning and a proffer package designed to address community concerns.
Nick Over (project representative) and counsel Danielle Cosby described a campus concept sited along Route 301 with industrial zoning sought for parcels currently mixed‑zoned. Key proffers offered by the applicant included: a minimum of 40 percent open space (roughly 200 acres), a public trail proffered and funded by the developer (valued at approximately $1 million for parks & recreation improvements), $500,000 for local workforce development, a commitment to tier‑4 compliant backup generators and limits on county water usage (no county water for cooling). The team also proffered noise‑mitigation measures, expanded setbacks (250 feet from Route 301 rather than the 50‑foot minimum), and additional landscaping and screening, including possible vegetated “green walls” facing the highway.
Developers proposed phased construction, noted typical data‑center building timelines of 12–18 months per building, and outlined a fiscal impact model showing large potential real‑estate and personal‑property tax receipts over full build‑out (stabilization over roughly 15 years). The fiscal consultant explained that most near‑term taxable revenue will derive from land‑valuation changes at entitlement and later from taxable data‑center equipment and periodic equipment refresh cycles.
Board members raised operational and community questions: the location of generators and screening relative to adjacent neighborhoods, the condition and liability of an existing on‑site water tower the developer offered to transfer (the applicant said any needed repairs would be completed before transfer), sewer extension plans, the scope of the proposed workforce and public‑safety contributions, and traffic/access improvements coordinated with VDOT. Commissioners asked for clearer, binding language that ties proffers to final permits and successors and seeks independent verification of promised mitigation.
Next steps: The presentation served to inform the board and public; the developer said it will continue to negotiate proffers with staff and return for formal applications and hearings. The board asked staff to collect additional details and handle proffer language and utility coordination with service authorities and VDOT.
