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Residents urge stricter rules for data centers as Stafford schedules joint public hearing
Summary
Dozens of Stafford residents urged the Board of Supervisors to tighten comprehensive-plan language and ordinances on data center siting — calling for larger setbacks, noise limits at the source and stricter generator emissions standards — ahead of a joint public hearing with the Planning Commission on Oct. 21.
Dozens of residents used the board’s public-comment period on Oct. 8 to press Stafford County officials for stronger limits on data center development, saying current draft standards would allow large, industrial facilities too close to homes and sensitive sites.
The comments centered on setbacks, noise and environmental protections. Allison Azara, a scientist who said a sound study measured ambient L99 time levels at about 37 decibels and an LEQ of 51.9 dB, told the board the county should require ‘‘noise limits at the source of 55 dB A-weighted, or below’’ and adopt setbacks of at least 1,320 feet from residential and vulnerable areas.
Other residents cited visual impacts, tree loss and alleged illegal clearing near proposed sites. Erin Cenzero described a plan showing a ‘‘105-foot-tall building’’ sited 242 feet from a property line and said some developers ‘‘did not preserve mature vegetation’’ near homes. Several speakers asked the board to require Tier 4 generator emissions standards, preserve existing tree buffers and ensure cumulative noise and light impacts are assessed.
Chair Deontay Diggs and other supervisors said staff had presented technical options but that the board had not directed specific numeric standards. Diggs told residents the board is gathering information from ‘‘every angle’’ and that staff’s presentation was intended to inform, not preordain, policy choices. Supervisor Vinouch said a joint public hearing with the Planning Commission is scheduled for Oct. 21 and asked staff to place certain items on that agenda.
Why it matters: The county faces several high‑profile data center applications and a contentious public debate about balancing economic development with neighborhood quality of life and environmental protection. The Oct. 21 joint public hearing will be the formal venue for public testimony on the proposed ordinance and comprehensive-plan changes.
What’s next: The board will hear the joint public hearing on Oct. 21 and may vote thereafter on amendments to the comprehensive plan and zoning/performance standards. Citizens asked the board to adopt higher setbacks, stricter noise limits and stronger proffers as part of any approval.
Quotation: ‘‘We should be holding developers to a higher standard, not facilitating a race to the bottom,’’ Allison Azara said, urging the board to require 55 dB limits at the source and larger setbacks.
Ending: The Planning Commission’s recommendations and staff’s revised standards will be considered during the joint public hearing on Oct. 21; supervisors said they expect continuing public engagement and possible ordinance revisions following that meeting.
