Chesapeake directs planning commission to develop written data‑center policy after residents raise environmental and infrastructure concerns

Chesapeake’s City Council unanimously approved an initiating resolution asking the Planning Commission to consider amendments to the comprehensive plan and draft a written policy governing the development and operation of data centers in the city.

Council members said the measure seeks both location restrictions and performance standards to address noise, water and electric demands and potential neighborhood impacts. "As of right now, data centers are able to go in the city by right in certain areas," a councilmember said; the manager confirmed they are largely allowed in industrial and commercial districts without specific mitigation requirements.

Jennifer Economy urged the council to direct the Planning Commission to study data-center impacts transparently and to include the option of a full ban or a temporary moratorium among recommendations. "Data centers place enormous demands on electricity and water, create constant industrial noise, and offer very few permanent jobs," she said, asking that the commission evaluate a full range of policy responses.

City Manager Price and staff said the initiating resolution would allow the Planning Commission to recommend where data centers can be sited and what mitigation (noise, water, power) should be required. Council adopted the initiating resolution by a nine‑zero vote.

What’s next: The Planning Commission will receive the initiating resolution and undertake studies/hearings as it develops recommended amendments to the comprehensive plan and possible ordinance language for council consideration.