Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Text Amendment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Smyth County officials propose zoning changes to regulate data centers; no application yet
Summary
County staff presented a draft zoning text amendment that would define "Data Center" and move data-processing uses from "by right" to special-use review; officials said no application has been filed and the change would allow public review if one arrives.
County staff and the Smyth County Planning Commission held a joint public hearing June 25 on draft amendments to the county Zoning Ordinance to address data centers.
Assistant County Administrator for Development Clegg Williams summarized the draft and told attendees that his office has not received an application for a data center and that the proposed change is intended to create a clear process if one is filed. Williams explained that the current ordinance treats a "data processing facility" as allowed "by right" in certain commercial and industrial districts and that the draft would adopt a new Section 4-19 titled "Data Center" and move the use to require a special-use permit so the public and Planning Commission could review any future project. "data processing facility is allowed by right in the commercial and industrial districts," Williams said, emphasizing the difference in review pathways.
County Administrator Shawn Utt characterized the hearing as a listening session: he said staff wanted to hear residents' concerns and then consider next steps for the ordinance. The joint hearing was conducted by Chair Charles Atkins and Hazel Wagoner, chairperson of the Planning Commission; after presentations and public comment the board and commission adjourned, and officials encouraged citizens to contact their district supervisors with questions about next steps.
The draft text amendment, posted with the hearing notice, proposes three core changes: repeal mentions of "data processing facility" in several sections, add a specific Data Center section with siting and review standards, and define "Data Center" in Article X as a facility used for storage, processing, management or distribution of digital data. Materials are available from the Zoning Administrator and County Administrator offices for review.
