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Planning Commission recommends Emerging Technologies District zoning amendment to Board
Summary
The Dinwiddie County Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of Case A-24-1, a zoning text amendment to create an Emerging Technologies District (ETD) that would route proposed uses through conditional use permits rather than an overlay. Staff and commissioners discussed utilities, water access and site selection.
The Dinwiddie County Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a zoning text amendment to establish an Emerging Technologies District, known in the record as Case A-24-1, and forward the recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.
Staff presenter Mister Culberth told commissioners the proposed ETD would be a new zoning classification with uses handled as conditional use permits (CUPs) rather than by-right in an overlay. "The uses provided in the amendment are all conditional use permits," he said, adding that the draft ordinance includes definitions, site-development regulations such as screening and maximum height, and a process that mirrors existing rezoning procedures.
Commissioners and staff discussed common concerns tied to data centers and similar technologies, including noise, water cooling needs and access to high-voltage power. Culberth said the county’s utility system could support some water-cooled facilities and that certain sites would be preferable for proximity to transmission lines or gas service. He explained the decision to use CUPs: "We felt as if this would allow an applicant to come in, make his case before you all and the board of supervisors," rather than fixing locations with an overlay.
A motion/resolution was read citing "Virginia code 15.2 dash 2 2 a 7" and the commission then voted to recommend the amendment to the Board. The record names 'Yes' votes from Mister Tucker, Mister Hayes and Mister Harbel and notes six members were present for the vote; the recommendation moved forward to the Board of Supervisors.
Why it matters: the ETD would create a pathway for recruiting technology-oriented projects while retaining review through conditional use permits, giving the county discretion to examine site-specific impacts and proffers. Next steps: the Board of Supervisors will receive the Planning Commission’s recommendation and may hold its own public hearing before taking action.
Sources: Presentation and discussion by planning staff (Mister Culberth, Mister Bassett) during the November planning commission meeting. The commission’s motion cites the Virginia code language read aloud during the meeting.
