Board denies Bristow data‑center rezoning after heated public forum

The Prince William County Board of Supervisors voted 4–2 on Sept. 9 to deny a proposed rezoning and special‑use permit that would have allowed a data‑center campus in Bristow, rejecting the application after more than three hours of public testimony.

Board member Suraj Gordy moved to deny the proposal, which had been revised repeatedly by the applicant after earlier submissions. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Robert Bodie and passed with Jefferson, Gordy, Bodie and Bailey voting to deny and Supervisors Angry and Franklin voting no.

The denied proposal — submitted by Stack Infrastructure as the Bristow campus — would have rezoned roughly 58 acres to permit data‑center buildings and related infrastructure. The applicant had offered a number of proffers, including a dedication of nearly 14 acres to the county for the Broad Run linear‑park trail, underground electrical distribution to avoid an on‑site substation, a commitment to a minimum of 40% open space and several noise and landscaping measures. In public remarks, the applicant described additional stormwater and truck‑routing commitments and argued the campus would generate far less traffic than alternative industrial uses.

Opponents said the site was the wrong location for a data campus because it sits outside the county’s Data Center Opportunity Zone overlay, is close to existing residential neighborhoods and could require new transmission lines through parkland and private property. Many speakers also raised concerns about stormwater runoff into Bridal Run and the Occoquan watershed, nighttime noise, and heavy construction truck traffic. "Please vote no on the proposed Bristow campus application," said one resident during the public‑comment period, reflecting the frequent calls to defer or deny the application.

Supporters — including construction‑trade unions and some landowners — urged approval, saying the campus would bring local jobs, apprenticeship opportunities and tax revenue. Union representatives said it would allow more members to work close to home and support local families.

Several speakers also asked the board to delay action until Gainesville District had an elected supervisor to represent local residents; the seat was vacant following the death of Supervisor Bob Weir earlier in the summer. The lack of a sitting Gainesville representative was repeatedly raised as a reason to defer. The board, after debate, proceeded to a vote and denied the application.

The denial leaves the applicant the option of revising and resubmitting or pursuing other entitlements; the record shows the Bristow campus had been pulled and refiled multiple times in prior months. The board recorded the denial and the matter is closed unless the applicant returns with a new application.

The vote is the most consequential zoning decision of the evening and reflects ongoing countywide tensions about the pace and siting of data centers in Prince William County. The board said staff and applicant commitments helped narrow impacts, but ultimately a majority concluded the parcel was not the appropriate site given comp‑plan context and nearby residential communities.