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Board member raises opposition to proposed Darbytown Road data center near Baker Elementary, cites health and noise concerns
Summary
Board member Miss Atkins told colleagues Aug. 14 she opposes a proposed data-center development off Darbytown Road near Baker Elementary because of noise, air-quality and neighborhood impacts; she said the proposal is under Planning Commission review and would go before the Board of Supervisors.
Miss Atkins used the Aug. 14 work session to draw the Henrico County School Board's attention to a proposed data-center development off Darbytown Road that she said is in close proximity to Baker Elementary.
"I do have serious concerns ... some of those are noise pollution and the slow erosion of environmental quality as well as diminished air purity and unsettling closeness to just the very neighborhoods that our students attend," Miss Atkins said, adding that, while acknowledging economic growth potential, she could not overlook the board's first responsibility to "the health, safety, and future of our students, staff, and school community."
The board chair clarified that the land-use decision is before the Henrico Planning Commission and, if advanced, would be considered by the Henrico Board of Supervisors; the school board does not directly vote on that approval. Miss Atkins named neighborhoods in her district that have expressed heightened concern, including "Reina, Sampson and Highland Springs." No board action or motion was recorded on the item; the matter was raised for awareness and to flag community concern ahead of the planning and supervisors' review.
The transcript shows no formal response from the developer or Planning Commission representatives at this meeting; the issue remains pending before land-use authorities and unresolved by the school board.
