Commissioners urge proactive review of data‑center siting rules after tour

Commissioners used the April 20 Planning Commission meeting to press for proactive local rules on data centers and related transmission infrastructure.

Chair and several commissioners described a March site visit to a Dominion Virginia Power substation and data center, which attendees said helped clarify questions about operations and impacts. Commissioner Miss Townsend read a prepared statement urging the county to research and adopt an ordinance to protect rural character. She recommended staff review Prince George County, Maryland, and two other jurisdictions that have adopted standards for setbacks, buffers and appropriate siting zones and suggested separate work sessions to develop an ordinance, overlay district or other tools.

Reverend Hathaway and other commissioners agreed that a total ban on data centers would likely be legally indefensible; instead, they favored an overlay district or carefully crafted ordinance that designates appropriate areas and requires buffering and screening to preserve rural viewsheds. Commissioners noted the county’s limited authority in cases where a utility acquires property for transmission infrastructure.

Staff said the zoning rewrite underway would be a suitable venue to consider revisions and that initial outreach and consultant work (Berkeley Group) will include community events in May and June to gather input.

Commissioners did not take formal action at the meeting but recorded support for a staff‑led review and suggested follow‑up work sessions.