Resident urges limits on data centers in draft Wythe County land-use map

At the July 6 meeting resident Andy Kegley spoke during Citizens' Time to press the Planning Commission to reconsider how data centers are treated in the county's draft land-use ordinance and map.

Kegley asked the commission to remove data centers from commercial zoning so they would not be allowed even by special use permit there. He argued that allowing data centers in multiple county districts could create a precedent that future boards and developers would cite when siting such facilities. Kegley said, "That's why I think a Progress Park industrial zone public is different than an industrial zone private out in Foster Falls or Rural Retreat or Speedwell or something," and asked the commission to differentiate public/central industrial locations from rural industrial zones.

Deputy County Administrator Matthew Hankins responded to a point of clarification, saying the current direction is to include data centers as a special-use option in both commercial and industrial designations. Hankins' staff later told the commission the Rogg Property near the Grahams Forge/Topaz Drive exit remains mapped as agriculture in the draft but could be subject to development discussions.

The remarks were part of an ongoing Land Use Ordinance review the commission is refining with the Board of Supervisors; commissioners scheduled a joint work session to finalize mapping and ordinance language.