JAMES CITY — As data centers continue to show up across Virginia, James City County is placing limits on them for the future.
The Board of Supervisors voted 5-1, with Barbara Null in opposition, on Tuesday to approve a change to the zoning ordinance that would restrict data centers in the county. The amendment now designates future proposed centers to be allowed only in the general industrial district and require a special use permit.
Prior to the amendment, data centers had permitted use in five county zoning districts, including in areas used for business, industrial, mixed-use, research and technology. Under permitted use, also known as by-right use, developers wouldn’t need approval from supervisors and could proceed with required administrative approvals such as a site plan.
The amendment, which adds a definition for data centers, also recommends that staff develop a policy for reviewing proposed facilities.
Supervisor John McGlennon said he requested the amendment to avoid data centers being established without “special scrutiny” that would come with a special use permit. Supervisors need to have a process that allows them to adapt to any potential changes, he said.
“That I think would be a real mistake,” McGlennon said. “Since this kind of industrial development is likely to go through significant changes in a relatively short period of time.”
Data centers, also known as data processing centers, are facilities that store, process and manage digital data. They are typically warehouse buildings that hold computers, network equipment, servers and additional components related to operating digital data, said Christy Parrish, the county’s zoning administrator.
Over the past year, both James City and York counties, along with other localities in Virginia, have been looking at ways to implement polices on data centers. In June, Chesapeake denied a data center project while a developer recently backed out of proposed center in Charles City County. Meanwhile, Fairfax, Prince William and Loudoun counties — all in northern Virginia — have approximately 300 data centers scattered across the three areas, said Parrish.
Parrish detailed positive impacts for data centers, which include generating additional tax revenue while not having a big impact on traffic. She also noted negative impacts, such as energy and water consumption, air pollution, waste from discarded materials and noise — such as a buzzing or humming sound that comes from the centers.
Residents in the county’s Grove community have already started speaking out against the possibility of a data center in their area
Chris Henderson, who represents the BASF Corp., which owns the site of the former chemical manufacturing facility that has been vacant in the Grove area for decades, told supervisors at the meeting that the property was “ideally situated” for a data center. The site, near Skiffes Creek, already has overhead power lines coming from the Surry nuclear power plant and contains a pipeline for natural gas for backup power, he said.
If the county is serious about having data centers, it should remove barriers rather than place them, Henderson told the board.
“By forcing (general industrial) land, specifically the BASF site, to go through a special use permit process, it will put the property at a disadvantage at a time where we need the additional revenue,” Henderson said.
A petition started by Grove community activist Robin Wootten has already received nearly 100 signatures in opposition to a data center ever locating in the area.
Wootton said the Grove area is a historic and well-established lower James City County community with deep roots to the Black community.
“Over the years, however, the county has allowed the area to be overdeveloped by corporate office, warehouse and industrial spaces while not providing adequate opportunities for more careful planning for healthy, vibrant residential and mixed use retail spaces and public parks,” she said.
Supervisor Michael Hipple suggested that the board needed more information before limiting the centers to one area. He said he didn’t want to lock out a revenue opportunity that would help avoid raising taxes.
But Jim Icenhour, who chairs the Board of Supervisors, said he wasn’t comfortable with having certain areas of the country able to be developed without review.
“I really do not want to leave it out there by-right as opposed to (a special use permit),” Icenhour said.
Also Tuesday, supervisors approved a special use permit for a substance use treatment facility on Rochambeau Drive. The permit allows Evolution House to operate a group home for adult men recovering from substance disorder. The permit proposes housing for up to 16 residents with onsite staff, said Terry Costello, deputy zoning administrator. The treatment center, licensed by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, currently serves nine sites across Hampton Roads.
James W. Robinson, 757-799-0621, james.robinson@virginiamedia.com
