Developers outline 7.2M sq ft King George data‑center campus, proffer public safety and water commitments

Developers seeking a rezoning and special exception for a large King George technology campus presented an informational overview to the planning commission, describing the project as a multi‑phase data‑center campus with a conceptual footprint of roughly 352 acres and build‑out up to 7.2 million square feet. The developer group (Green Energy Ventures) described a phased approach with a first phase of approximately 2.5 million square feet and said the minimum build‑out value for buildings would be on the order of $2 billion.

Project proponents said the campus could generate substantial tax revenues and jobs: a submitted economic analysis estimated up to 16,000 temporary construction jobs over a multi‑year build‑out and roughly 1,236 permanent positions at full build‑out (spread over shifts). The development team proffered an 18‑acre dedication for possible county water‑treatment infrastructure and described potential participation in funding or oversizing of water/sewer infrastructure to support long‑term county needs.

Traffic and access planning will be phased: consultants proposed a main, secured employee entrance with turn‑lane and left‑turn storage improvements on Route 3, a secondary emergency access on Bloomsbury Road, and a series of VDOT warrant studies to guide signal installation and turn‑lane construction. The team also proposed a 12‑ft berm, enhanced planting buffers (larger caliper, denser initial plantings), and architectural cross‑sections to limit visibility from adjacent roadways.

Commissioners pressed the developers for details on backup generation and fuel storage: data centers require on‑site generation for resiliency and the commission asked for approximate megawatt capacity, tank locations and fuel‑storage plans. The applicant said each building would have backup generation, that substations had been planned in coordination with Dominion Energy, and that they would provide more detailed layouts in future submissions. The applicant also said the project is not expected to use water for data‑center cooling (they stated they will pursue non‑water cooling options) and provided a maximum potable‑water estimate of about 70,000 gallons per day for operations (to serve toilets, drinking water and limited humidification), while acknowledging construction demand will be greater for temporary deliveries.

Developers proposed proffers to support county services: an upfront/public safety contribution and a continuing annual public‑safety contribution (example figure mentioned was an annual public‑safety contribution on the order of $140,000 at build‑out and a capital contribution of $25 million for fire/public safety facilities were discussed in the presentation materials). Presenters said they have met with the fire chief and would follow building‑code fire protection approaches (dry suppression systems for sensitive electronic spaces) and provide training and equipment as part of public‑safety pledges.

Commissioners asked for more detailed, map‑level designs — especially showing where generator and tank farms would be located, lighting and noise mitigation, parking, and exact traffic counts and signal warrants — before advancing a public hearing. Staff and developers agreed to provide additional detail in forthcoming submissions and the developers said they expected to return for formal hearings when the materials are ready.