Correction: This new data center is near Unity Reed High School, near Manassas. An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported Patriot High School.
The Prince William Board of County Supervisors has approved a 24-acre rezoning for a new data center development along Wellington Road, despite opposition from Supervisor Bob Weir and concerns about its proximity to Unity Reed High School.
On February 4, 2025, the board approved Rezoning #REZ2024-00042, NVA05C, changing the property’s zoning from agricultural and business districts to Planned Business District (PBD) to accommodate a data center. The site, located 700 feet southwest of Freedom Center Boulevard and Wellington Road, is part of Innovation Park, an area designated for high-tech development.
The rezoning application was submitted by STACK Infrastructure, which operates data centers in multiple locations across North America, EMEA, and Asia Pacific. Some key Northern Virginia locations include Manassas, Ashburn, and Leesburg.
Supervisor Weir’s Opposition: “The Craziness Needs to Stop”
Supervisor Bob Weir strongly opposed the project, voicing frustration over the county’s rapid data center expansion.
“Here we go again. Six more waivers and mods. I’ve said it before, I’m going to say it again. I’m not doing one more square foot of data center,” said Weir.
“We’ve got 10 million under roof or operational right now. We’ve got tens of millions more. We don’t have the power, the infrastructure, the generation, or the transmission. We are doing a disservice not only to our residents but the residents of the Commonwealth, potentially other jurisdictions throughout the Mid-Atlantic. The craziness needs to stop.”
Concerns About School Proximity
Supervisor Yesli Vega questioned the distance between the school and the data center.
“Can you tell me what the distance is to the school?” Vega asked.
A county representative responded, “From the school, property line to property line is about 700 feet, but building to building is more.”
Vega also inquired whether the developers had engaged with the school. The county representative confirmed, “STACK has been coordinating with this school on all of the projects they have in this area, has actually done a lunch and partnered with them on their ROTC program, so they are aware of the proposal.”
Developer Commitments and Environmental Concerns
STACK Infrastructure is committed to incorporating sustainability measures in the project, including:
- LED lighting
- Closed-loop cooling systems to reduce water use
- Tree canopy and buffering requirements
- On-site renewable energy options
Despite these measures, residents and environmental advocates raised concerns about the project’s energy consumption and its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. Supervisor Weir demanded that future data center applications not be included on the board’s consolidated agenda, arguing that they require deeper discussion.
“Given the nature of data center applications, I’d appreciate it in the future that we didn’t have data center applications on the consolidated agenda when you know there is going to be dissent, and I would just ask staff to put it on the regular agenda with a presentation so that we can delve into it more deeply,” Weir said.
Historic Preservation and Community Engagement
The development site is near Gaskins Cemetery, a historically significant burial ground. According to county officials, the developer has agreed to protect and maintain the cemetery, providing a 50-foot landscaped buffer and ensuring community access.
Additionally, the Prince William County Planning Commission held a public hearing on December 11, 2024, and recommended approval of the rezoning
The rezoning request passed 7-1, with Supervisor Weir casting the only dissenting vote.
