WHAT: Community Meeting on Route 29 Technology Park
Data Center surrounding
the Gateway into the Town of Haymarket
Application for one million sq ft of data center development
Will include at least one new substation &
Massive new transmission line
If approved
WHERE: Greenhill Crossing Clubhouse
Greenhill Crossing Community
14700 Gap Way
in the Town of Haymarket
WHEN: Tomorrow, Thursday
December 2
7 PM
‘Massive’ data center complex proposed in Gainesville | Headlines | insidenova.com
“This would be a massive data center complex,” [Gainesville Planning Commissioner] Berry said. “I believe such a development is inconsistent with surrounding uses”
Gainesville data center proposal moves forward on technicality | Headlines | insidenova.com
“Since the Planning Commission did not provide an action within its required timeframe, the proposal can move forward to a public hearing with the Board of County Supervisors with a statutory recommendation of approval from the Planning Commission pursuant to applicable provisions in the Zoning Ordinance and Virginia state code,” [the county’s deputy planning director] said.
Berry asked the rest of the commissioners to deny the proposal on the basis that the consultant the Board of Supervisors hired in May to study areas targeted for data center development had not yet finished its work.
“I do not think we should rush a decision without the benefits of any conclusions from this study, especially when we are considering a project that’s close to 3 million square feet,” he said. “We need to let the study play out, so we can learn not just where the data centers may be built, but how they are built and how they may impact the county for the next 25, 50 or 75 years.”
The overlay district is currently 10,000 acres, designated in 2016 to support data center development by reducing regulatory hurdles.
The community needs to be prepared to show up and demonstrate to this Board that data centers anywhere and everywhere is unacceptable.
The Gainesville District, in particular, is at risk. This is about our quality of life, and we should expect our concerns to be included in any decision for an industry with community impact like no other.
NEXT STEP:
Take your input to the Board of County Supervisors. This application is on the agenda for their vote
December 7th, Tuesday 7PM evening meeting
Send your own personal email to the supervisors: bocs@pwcgov.org
Speak at the Public Hearing on the Route 29 Technology Park application, either in person at the McCoart Building, or remotely (Sign up here).