The Fredericksburg City Council took a significant step toward attracting data center development on Monday, January 14, by voting unanimously to initiate amendments to the city’s 2015 comprehensive plan, unified development ordinance (UDO), and zoning map. The proposed changes aim to establish a Technology Overlay District (TOD) that would designate roughly 250 acres in the city as a site for data centers and related uses near the Fredericksburg Nationals stadium.

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Prince William Times – “Landowners who want to sell their properties for the Prince William Digital Gateway data center development and are suing Prince William County over their higher real estate tax bills were recently dealt a blow in court when a judge ruled against their case.

But they might have a Plan B, thanks to a bill sponsored by state Sen. Jeremy McPike.”

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The Prince William Board of County Supervisors will convene on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 2 p.m. at 1 County Complex Court in Woodbridge for a packed agenda that includes significant decisions on land development and state legislation. The meeting is open to the public.

Woodbridge Land Development

Supervisors are expected to approve $250,000 to hire consultants to determine the best use for 21.85 acres of land in Woodbridge, previously considered for an indoor sports and recreation center. The funding from the Economic Development Opportunity Fund will support planning for a vibrant mixed-use community hub. The land is part of a larger 70-acre property targeted for an indoor sports venue, focusing on creating live-work-play environments and generating tax revenue.

Legislative Review

In a first-of-its-kind move, the Board will spend considerable time mulling over nearly 40 bills currently before the Virginia General Assembly. These bills address a wide range of topics, including:

• Clean Energy: HB 36 proposes studying barriers to clean energy purchases by local governments.
• Transportation and Safety: HB 462 calls for expanded tractor-trailer parking along major corridors, and HB 2041 focuses on speed safety camera placements.
• Data Centers: Multiple bills, including HB 1601, SB 899, and HB 2026, address issues like energy use, noise abatement, and proximity to parks and schools.
• Affordable Housing: HB 1701 and SB 2603 propose incentives and zoning changes to expand housing opportunities.
• Environmental Initiatives: HB 2050 introduces a program to reduce PFAS in the Occoquan Reservoir, while SB 839 focuses on by-right multifamily development in commercial zones.

The Board’s deliberations aim to ensure that local perspectives are represented in state policymaking, reflecting priorities such as economic growth, environmental preservation, and community safety.

Stay tuned to Potomac Local News for updates on the outcomes of this meeting.

Insidenova.com: A bipartisan coalition of Virginia lawmakers on Tuesday presented a series of bills aimed at addressing the rapid expansion of data centers, which have become a cornerstone of the state’s economy but have raised concerns about energy use, environmental impact, and equitable cost distribution.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin highlighted the industry’s importance during his State of the Commonwealth address Monday, noting that “data centers alone support 74,000 jobs, bring in $9.1 billion in Virginia GDP, and generate billions in local revenue.” He called for Virginia to remain “the data center capital of the world” while ensuring state support for the industry.

However, lawmakers from both parties have emphasized the need for oversight to ensure the industry’s growth is managed responsibly.

FXBG Advance: The public was first made aware of the possibility of data centers in Celebrate VA when Mayor Devine added the topic to the July 9, 2024 Council agenda, giving the public no prior notice that the topic was to be discussed. Well before that announcement, council members had toured data centers in February, two at a time, to avoid public notice.

Also, prior to the July 9th meeting the City Manager initiated discussion with a developer to provide land for data centers.

In September the City Council supported the expenditure of $200,000 to study the infrastructure needs to provide power for data centers in Celebrate VA. A cost that should not be the responsibility of the city but by either Dominion Power or the developer. When questioned about this City Manager Tim Baroody confirmed it was not the city’s responsibility but explained that it was being done at the direction of the City Council.

Delegate Ian Lovejoy (R-22, Prince William County) has introduced a suite of legislative proposals targeting the rapid proliferation of data centers in Northern Virginia, addressing concerns about campaign finance, land use, and energy infrastructure. The legislation, rooted in what Lovejoy calls "common sense reforms," aims to tackle issues of public confidence, community impact, and the strain on utilities.

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In this episode of the Potomac Local News Podcast, Delegate Ian Lovejoy joins us from Richmond to discuss key issues impacting Virginia residents:

Richmond’s Water Crisis: Hear about the ongoing water outage in Richmond, its effects on families, businesses, and schools, and what it means for state leadership as former Mayor Levar Stoney campaigns for Lieutenant Governor.

Data Center Development: Delegate Lovejoy explains his legislative efforts to address the rapid expansion of data centers in Northern Virginia, including:

• Prohibiting officials from voting on projects tied to campaign donors.
• Establishing zoning reforms to protect schools, parks, and residential neighborhoods.
• Proposing a moratorium on new data centers and revisiting tax incentives.

Energy Infrastructure Concerns: Learn how unchecked data center growth could threaten Virginia’s power grid by 2030 and what steps are needed to prevent a crisis.

This in-depth conversation explores the challenges facing Virginia communities and the solutions Delegate Lovejoy is working to implement.

Subscribe for more updates on local news and issues affecting Virginia.

You’ll learn about:

• 1:15 – Richmond’s Water Crisis
• 4:30 – Data Centers and Campaign Donations
• 7:45 – Zoning Reforms and Community Impacts
• 10:30 – Power Grid Concerns and Tax Incentives

Join the conversation and share your thoughts in the comments.

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.

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In our latest episode of the Potomac Local News Podcast, we tackle the complex and controversial topic of data centers and their growing presence in our region. Joining the conversation are two experts with unique perspectives: Bill Wright, a data center activist from Prince William County, and Dr. Eric Bonds, a professor at the University of Mary Washington and a concerned Fredericksburg resident.

Fredericksburg City Council recently held a work session to discuss an ordinance that would allow data centers within the city limits for the first time, focusing on a 250-acre site at Celebrate Virginia South. The proposed timeline is ambitious, with plans to finalize the ordinance as early as February 2025. While data centers promise potential economic benefits, including increased tax revenue, concerns about their environmental and community impact have sparked significant debate.

In this episode, we explore:

• Community Impacts: Dr. Bonds outlines how the proposed digital overlay zone would surround residential areas, including an apartment complex and retirement communities, raising questions about compatibility and quality of life.
• Lessons Learned: Bill Wright shares insights from Prince William County, where data center developments have led to environmental challenges, lawsuits, and a lack of transparency.
• Economic Realities: While data centers generate tax revenue, our guests discuss the hidden costs, including legal fees, infrastructure demands, and environmental compliance, which often go uncalculated.
• Climate Considerations: Dr. Bonds raises concerns about the energy-intensive nature of data centers and how they conflict with local and state commitments to renewable energy and environmental stewardship.
• Whether you’re a Fredericksburg resident, an environmental advocate, or simply curious about how data centers impact communities, this episode offers an in-depth look at these developments’ challenges and opportunities.