Will Data Centers Change Fredericksburg Forever? City Invites Public Feedback

The Fredericksburg City Council has announced a series of public meetings and work sessions as it considers approving the city’s first data centers within a newly proposed Technology Overlay Zoning District (TOD). The meetings aim to gather public input and provide transparency as the city plans to encourage high-technology industrial development in Celebrate Virginia South, next to the Fredericksburg Nationals baseball stadium.

While the council is promoting data centers as an opportunity for economic growth, concerns from local activists and experts highlight potential challenges, including environmental and community impacts.

Upcoming Public Meeting Schedule

The City Council and Planning Commission will host several sessions, inviting residents to participate and voice their opinions:

• January 14, 2025: Joint Work Session, 5:30 PM, followed by a Regular Session at 7:30 PM to initiate a Unified Development Ordinance Text Amendment (UDOTA) and Comprehensive Plan Amendment.
  Location: Council Chambers, City Hall, 715 Princess Anne Street.
• January 22, 2025: Joint Meeting with Planning Commission and City Council, including a Public Input Session from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM, followed by the Planning Commission’s Regular Session.
  Location: Council Chambers, City Hall, 715 Princess Anne Street.
• February 12, 2025: Planning Commission Public Hearing, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
  Location: Council Chambers, City Hall, 715 Princess Anne Street.
• February 25, 2025: City Council Public Hearing, 7:30 PM.
  Location: Council Chambers, City Hall, 715 Princess Anne Street.

Community Concerns 

Bill Wright, a data center activist from Prince William County, and Dr. Eric Bonds, a professor at the University of Mary Washington, shared their perspectives on the potential drawbacks of data center development in a recent Potomac Local News Podcast interview. Their insights shed light on issues Fredericksburg residents may wish to consider as public discussions begin.

Wright, who has been actively involved in addressing data center explosion in nearby Prince William County, emphasized the environmental implications of such projects. “These data centers are energy-intensive and require massive cooling systems, which often rely on water resources. Communities need to consider the long-term impact on their local water supply and ecosystems,” Wright said.

Bonds echoed Wright’s concerns, pointing to the strain data centers could place on energy infrastructure. “Data centers consume an enormous amount of electricity, often leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions unless renewable energy is prioritized,” Bonds explained. He also raised questions about the compatibility of data centers with Fredericksburg’s urban character. “We need to ask ourselves if this type of industrial development fits with the vision residents have for their community.”

Both Wright and Bonds stressed the importance of transparency and public involvement in the decision-making process. “Communities need to have a real seat at the table to ensure their concerns are heard and addressed,” Wright said.

Balancing Growth and Preservation

Fredericksburg City Council’s efforts to attract high-tech industries aim to bolster economic growth, but the concerns raised by activists and experts underline the need for careful planning. The proposed Technology Overlay Zoning District would allow by-right data center development in Celebrate Virginia South, an area identified as suitable for high-tech facilities due to its existing infrastructure.

However, Bonds noted that such developments must align with broader community goals. “Economic development should not come at the expense of environmental sustainability or quality of life. It’s a delicate balance that requires thoughtful policies,” he said.

A recent report by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) warns that if data center development in Virginia continues without constraints, the state’s energy demands could triple. The report emphasizes that meeting these increased demands would necessitate the construction of additional energy facilities, including renewable sources like solar and offshore wind, as well as natural gas plants. Specifically, JLARC estimates that a new natural gas plant would need to be built approximately every one and a half years to keep pace with the energy consumption of unconstrained data center growth.