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Residents urge countywide zoning and transparency as data center debate intensifies
Summary
Dozens of residents used citizens time to demand transparency and a countywide land-use ordinance after the county's engagement with FluidStack; speakers raised concerns about water and power, NDAs, and land loss, and presented local survey results prioritizing resource-consumption impacts.
A steady stream of residents told the Wythe County Board of Supervisors on July 28 that they want a countywide land-use ordinance and clearer information from developers and the board about proposed data centers.
"We don't consent to this effort to squander our land and water," said Brandy Klein during citizens time, reflecting a theme repeated throughout the night: residents want limits on where large industrial facilities can locate and more transparency about company plans. Miranda Edwards told the board, "1 data center is 1 too many in our county," and asked the supervisors to publish verified facts about FluidStack's operating sites, employment projections and end users.
Organizer Sherry Burgess presented results from a recent community poll conducted at an EarthFest event, saying resource consumption (water, power) topped residents' concerns at about 40.54% and that transparency and environmental/aesthetic disruption were also notable concerns. Several speakers and supervisors referenced past decisions (solar farms, other projects) and warned that farmland loss is cumulative: one speaker cited approximately 15,675 acres of farmland lost (a figure presented during public comment) and urged protections for water and soil.
Beyond zoning, commenters asked the board to ban nondisclosure agreements for public officials, release Q&A and technical studies, permit public site visits, and accelerate outreach. Multiple supervisors said they opposed data centers outside designated industrial parks but emphasized the need to 'get the zoning right' and pledged additional public meetings and outreach to let more residents review the draft ordinance before final action.
The board directed staff to open a public-review period for draft zoning materials and to publish updated mapping and outreach plans; dates for additional public meetings were proposed and will be refined.
