Smyth County staff outlines plan to allow data centers by special use permit

Smyth County staff on Monday explained a proposed text amendment that would allow hyperscale data centers in certain districts only by special‑use permit and place a bundle of conditions on any applicant.

Staff said the ordinance would not permit data centers by right and would require applicants to meet specific standards. "We are requiring setback requirements, 60 feet, to the to the closest property line," staff said, adding that the rules would also address lighting, water-use review, emergency power and noise limits. The county would require a community meeting in the immediate area and posting of the property so neighbors know an application has been filed.

The proposal, staff said, adds a site‑by‑site review: applicants must work with the local water provider or, for wells/withdrawals, the Virginia Department of Health or DEQ and include permitting approvals as part of their packet. Staff emphasized there is no application on file yet and that environmental and utility impacts will be assessed on a per‑site basis. "Our proposal is to basically require any any future application to work with [the] water provider," the staff member said.

The planning commission recommended approval to the board; staff said public comments from recent hearings and a field trip to Mecklenburg County are being incorporated into the final recommendations and that additional public hearings will follow.

The county will continue accepting written comments to be read into the record at hearings and staff encouraged residents with site‑specific questions — including those about Pathway Park — to contact county staff directly.