Board authorizes appeal filings tied to Oak Valley litigation; county to continue legal engagement

The Prince William County Board of Supervisors directed the county attorney on Sept. 9 to file a notice of appeal in Oak Valley Homeowners Association v. Prince William County (case CL24‑375) after a closed session briefing on land‑use litigation. The motion to direct the county attorney to file was made as part of the formal closed‑session readouts and passed 4–2, with Supervisors Gordy and Chair Jefferson voting against the direction to file and Supervisors Angry and Franklin voting in favor in related reports earlier in the meeting.

County Attorney briefing materials listed multiple active cases connected to the digital‑gateway rezoning and similar litigation; the board noted the potential implications of a recent circuit‑court decision for the county’s ability to conduct future legislative rezonings. The county attorney’s office also listed active litigation related to opioid claims and other land‑use cases during the closed‑session briefing; the board subsequently authorized participation in opioid settlements (see separate action).

Representatives from residents’ groups urged the board not to pursue further appeals and to accept court rulings or to restart notice and hearing processes. Other commenters argued the county needed to preserve its legal options to protect local decisions. The board’s vote to move forward with appeal filings was narrowly decided and signals continued litigation over prior rezoning decisions affecting the county’s data‑center policy and related projects.