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Residents urge board to ban data centers, cite water and wildlife concerns
Summary
More than two dozen residents used the public-comment period to urge the Shenandoah County Board of Supervisors to ban data centers, citing water use, wildlife impacts, noise and threats to rural character; speakers asked the board to pause permitting and strengthen local rules.
Dozens of Shenandoah County residents urged the Board of Supervisors on June 23 to bar data centers from the county, saying the facilities would draw heavily on local water supplies and harm wildlife and tourism.
Kim Bishop of Strasburg warned that "when large developments come in, they use the local water supply, and this will affect river tourism," and several other speakers made similar points about water scarcity and environmental impacts. Kaylee Tanner read Virginia Code §15.2‑2280 and urged the board to "ban data centers outright," linking the statutory language to local authority to prohibit uses.
Speakers described a range of concerns: Jeanette Smith said her floral business requires substantial water and reminded the board the county is historically among the driest in the state; Scott Johnson said he supported a moratorium; Melanie Salins urged the board to fact‑check information from staff and legal counsel and warned that drafting an SUP could invite litigation. Several commenters cited a Front Royal vote the prior night that rejected data centers as a model.
The series of public comments occurred before the board took up a zoning text amendment that would create a new Article XXIII addressing data‑center development. Board members told speakers their remarks were heard and that the board planned work sessions to refine the ordinance and related energy rules.
