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Residents press Carroll County supervisors for rules after data‑center rumors
Summary
Dozens of residents spoke during citizens time urging the board to curb data centers through zoning, ordinances or a moratorium; county officials said no data center has formally applied, and county counsel warned moratoriums face legal limits under Virginia law.
Dozens of Carroll County residents used the board’s citizen‑comment period to press supervisors to act on rumored data‑center proposals, asking for zoning protections, ordinances on water and noise, and an immediate halt to new projects until safeguards are in place.
Speakers cited concerns about large electricity and water demands, noise and potential local health and environmental effects. ‘‘We don’t need a data center in here spiking our energy rates,’’ said Greg Alger during the public comment period. Sherry Burris, a candidate for the House of Delegates in the 46th District, told the board that modern data centers ‘‘often replace’’ durable local jobs and typically employ only a small permanent staff once construction ends.
Other residents asked for a public moratorium to buy time for the planning commission and board to adopt rules; one writer whose message was read by staff urged the board to ‘‘pass a moratorium to halt any project in Carroll County that involves a data center’’ while ordinances are written. Several speakers recommended community benefit agreements and stronger decommissioning requirements.
County Administrator Mr. Watson told the board the county had received no formal notice of a data‑center application and that no company had presented plans to county officials. County counsel cautioned that Virginia’s case law and Dillon Rule limitations make a local land‑use moratorium legally risky and recommended zoning and comp‑plan tools as the lawful path for regulation.
Supervisors said they remain undecided but urged residents to engage with the planning commission, which has been working on a county zoning ordinance. The board scheduled a budget work session and closed session for June 15 and agreed to a joint meeting with the Planning Commission for June 22 to review draft zoning language and options for regulating large industrial projects.
Speakers representing the Carroll County Farm Bureau and other local groups offered to assist with drafting protections; the board directed staff to continue public outreach and legal review of options. No formal regulatory change or vote on a moratorium occurred at the meeting.
