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Wythe County residents press board for countywide zoning as data center plans advance
Summary
Multiple residents urged the Wythe County Board of Supervisors to adopt countywide land-use protections to limit by-right data-center siting outside Progress Park, citing concerns about water, noise, transparency and farmland loss. The Board said it will continue public outreach while staff advances a FluidStack site plan in Progress Park.
Dozens of residents used Citizens’ Time at the Wythe County Board of Supervisors’ July 28 meeting to demand a countywide zoning ordinance that would restrict data centers from locating by-right on farmland and near homes. "Neither the land nor the people of Wythe County consent to this effort to squander our land and water," resident Brandy Cline said, invoking a poem and urging supervisors to adopt protective land-use rules.
Speakers repeatedly pushed the Board for transparency and independent verification of company claims about water use, jobs and locations. Maranda Edwards said she had been promised information by Supervisor Stacy Terry and told the board, "We want answers, transparency, and facts regarding Fluidstack," and criticized what she described as closed-door deals and non-disclosure practices. Several speakers urged the Board to require special-use permits and public hearings for large tech projects so neighbors have a voice.
Board members acknowledged the concerns while saying the county must follow state law and get the zoning ordinance right. Vice Chair J.W. "Dicky" Morgan and Chair James D. "Jamie" Smith said they supported more community meetings to refine the draft ordinance; Supervisor Rolland R. Cook said the ordinance should allow Progress Park to function as intended for industrial uses. County staff said revised mapping and ordinance language had been produced after a joint session with the Planning Commission and that more outreach dates are forthcoming.
Speakers highlighted specific impacts they fear: water and power demands, noise, visual disruption and property-value effects. Susan Branscome told the Board county farmland loss has been substantial and warned that data centers can consume large volumes of water, saying, "Data centers can consume up to five millions of gallons of water per day. That's a town of 10 to 50,000." Robert Walton, a recently retired technology professional who described 30 years in the field, urged independent energy and jobs analyses and called for banning nondisclosure agreements for public officials.
The Board did not adopt new zoning at the meeting. Several supervisors signaled support for additional public outreach and emphasized the need to balance legal constraints under Virginia law with residents’ desire for protections. Staff said the draft ordinance and property maps will be posted on the county website and that community meetings and civic group outreach would be scheduled to solicit further input.
