Residents Press Wythe County Supervisors for Zoning to Block Rural Data Centers

At a July 28 meeting of the Wythe County Board of Supervisors, a steady stream of residents urged supervisors to adopt countywide zoning or stronger land‑use rules to keep data centers and other large industrial uses out of residential and agricultural areas.

"We don't consent to another data center," said Brandy Klein, who opened Citizens Time by reading a poem and telling the board that rapid development is changing the county. Miranda Edwards later told supervisors, "One data center is one too many in our county," and pressed the board for public disclosure of any letters of intent or other agreements tied to Project Park and FluidStac.

Why it matters: speakers argued that without local zoning developers can site industrial facilities by right next to farms and homes, creating risks to water supplies, noise and the rural character of the county. Susan Branscomb told the board that Wythe County has lost about 15,675 acres of farmland recently and warned of water stress; several commenters cited community polling showing resource consumption as the top concern.

County response and next steps: Chair James D. Smith and other supervisors acknowledged public concern and said the board is working on a draft zoning ordinance and outreach plan. Smith asked staff to publish updated draft maps and noted a schedule of public engagement events proposed for September, while some supervisors urged speeding the process so protections are in place sooner.

The meeting did not produce a final policy change; staff said it would begin an expanded public comment period and schedule town‑hall style meetings so residents can review and weigh in on the draft ordinance before the board considers formal adoption.