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Louisa County board approves 18‑month moratorium on data centers after public concern about water, power and crypto mining
Summary
The Louisa County Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance 26‑1, imposing an immediate moratorium (18 months or until replaced by ordinance) on rezoning, permits and building permits for data center projects in unincorporated areas. Public commenters urged the board to include cryptocurrency mining in the review; staff will coordinate drafting of zoning rules.
The Louisa County Board of Supervisors voted to adopt Ordinance 26‑1, imposing an immediate moratorium on data‑center development in unincorporated parts of the county. The board said the moratorium — set in the ordinance as 18 months or until a related ordinance is adopted — will give staff and the board time to gather information and draft zoning and permitting rules.
The vote followed an extended public hearing that drew residents and local property owners who raised concerns about water use, electrical demand, noise and the potential for cryptocurrency mining to locate in data‑center facilities. ‘‘They’re two separate things, and one’s just as bad as the other,’’ said Randy Fore during public comment, urging the board to treat crypto mining and data centers together. Another resident, Matt Fore, thanked the board for putting the moratorium in place and said he feared long‑term impacts on a rural community.
Why it matters: speakers and staff told the board there is no county ordinance specifically governing data centers and that development of large computing facilities can affect water resources, electrical infrastructure and agricultural land preservation. Staff and a resident cited the American Planning Association as a resource for mitigation approaches, including closed‑loop cooling systems that reduce municipal water use.
What the ordinance does: according to the ordinance language read into the record, the moratorium applies immediately to rezonings, conditional‑use or special‑use permit applications and building permits for projects described as data centers in unincorporated Louisa County. The stated purpose is to allow time to coordinate with agencies and update or create necessary ordinances, policies and procedures related to data‑center construction.
Board response and next steps: after public comment, a member moved to approve Ordinance 26‑1 and to waive additional readings if counsel and staff concurred with the publication requirements; the motion carried by voice vote. Staff were directed to work with county counsel and planning staff (Adam Parsons was named as the staff contact during discussion) to develop zoning language and to return with ordinance drafts and more information for the board’s consideration.
Votes at a glance: the board approved the moratorium by voice vote; no roll‑call tally was taken in the public transcript. Other items approved that evening (by voice vote) included acceptance of claims totaling $743,395.57, approval of the Williams Acres subdivision resolution, Resolution 202631 (set public hearing for a nonexclusive access easement), and Resolution 202633 (designate official posting location for agendas).
The board said the moratorium is intended as a temporary measure while staff develops regulatory language; it does not permanently ban data centers. The county will accept public input as ordinance language is drafted and return the matter to the board for formal adoption of zoning regulations.
