On Saturday, April 27, 2024, Prince William County held its second of eight planned town hall meetings as part of its strategic planning process for 2025-2029. The event, hosted by Board of County Supervisors Chair At-large Deshundra Jefferson aimed to gather public input to shape the county’s future.
The Prince William County Strategic Plan outlines the community’s vision and goals for improving various areas, such as health, safety, economy, and education, through 2024. It is crucial for residents because it shapes the county’s priorities and decisions, impacting everyday life and the local environment.
Residents expressed concerns about government transparency, growth, and preserving open space. These discussions also touched on areas like senior care, workforce development, and education, reflecting a broad range of community interests. “I would say residents are, no matter where [they] are in the county, based on these first two sessions at least, it feels like residents are thinking about opportunities in a similar way.”
“One of the common threads we’ve seen in both town hall meetings is the residents’ strong desire for transparency and accountability from their local government,” said County Executive Christopher Shorter. “It’s clear that our community is deeply invested in the future of Prince William County, and their input is invaluable as we chart our course for the coming years.”
Occoquan District Supervisor Kenny Boddye had previously held a similar meeting in March, marking the beginning of this comprehensive engagement effort. Shorter noted similarities in citizen concerns in both town halls.
A recurring topic of discussion was the impact of data centers on the county’s landscape and infrastructure. Concerns ranged from traffic congestion to air and water quality, residents shared diverse concerns on the role of data centers in the county’s future development. Gainesville District Supervisor Bob Weir previously directed county staff to review the data center overlay to identify potential changes. Planning staff will present their findings to the board on May 14.
Jefferson emphasized the importance of citizen engagement in shaping the county’s future, welcoming input from all residents. The town hall format allowed for group discussions on key questions related to the county’s challenges and opportunities.
“Our strategic planning process is rooted in the principle of inclusivity,” stated Jefferson. “Every voice matters, and we want to ensure that our decision-making reflects the diverse needs and aspirations of our community. These town hall meetings serve as a platform for residents to actively participate in shaping the future of Prince William County.”
From affordable housing to school overcrowding, participants voiced their concerns and priorities, contributing valuable insights for the strategic planning process.
“The level of community engagement we’ve witnessed today is truly inspiring,” remarked Jefferson. “It’s clear that our residents are deeply invested in the well-being of our county, and their input will play a crucial role in guiding our decision-making process moving forward.”
The event also outlined the phased approach to strategic planning, including community outreach, plan development, and adoption. With a projected timeline aiming for plan adoption in February 2025, the county aims to ensure transparency and community involvement throughout the process.
Jefferson encouraged residents to attend the strategic plan town halls in their districts taking place over the next few months. “Your willingness to participate in this important dialogue demonstrates your commitment to the future of Prince William County. Together, we will continue working towards building a vibrant and inclusive community for all.”
Potomac District will hold the next strategic plan town hall on May 8 at Potomac Shores Middle School.
One of the pivotal outcomes of the session was the passage of a higher $3.70 per $100 $100 of assessed value Computer and Peripheral (data center) tax, which garnered a 7-1 vote in favor. It’s the second hike in as many years for this tax, up from $1.80 in 2022. Supporters have called for the county’s burgeoning data center industry, set to overtake neighboring Loudoun County as the world’s epicenter for server farms that power the internet, to pay more.
Additionally, there was unanimous support, with an 8-0 vote for setting the real estate tax rate at 92 cents per $100 assessed value. This move aims to balance meeting the county’s financial needs and alleviating the tax burden on residents. The decision means that, for the first time in years, residents will see an average decrease in their real estate tax bills of about $240 instead of the typical increase.
However, not all proposed funding allocations received unanimous approval. A notable instance was the failure to secure additional funds amounting to $3.9 million for the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC OmniRide), with a tied 4-4 vote. This outcome reflects the differing opinions among supervisors regarding the prioritization of transportation initiatives within the budget.
Similarly, a proposal to allocate $833,000 for Americans for Wartime Experience, a long-talked-about museum that announced more than a decade ago that it would build a facility on 70 acres behind what is now an At Home store (formerly KMart) in Dale City, faced resistance and was ultimately rejected in a 6-2 vote.
Despite these challenges, several measures successfully gained approval during the session. This includes allocating funds for county services and initiatives, such as approving eight full-time equivalent (FTE) positions for the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office. Additionally, updates to the data center ordinance were endorsed, reflecting the county’s commitment to supporting its growing technology sector while ensuring responsible development practices.
Moreover, the board approved various community initiatives to enhance residents’ quality of life. This includes funding for park updates and a litter control crew, underscoring the importance of preserving and maintaining the county’s natural resources and public spaces. Additionally, the approval of county-sponsored special events and the addition of a sustainability environmental analyst demonstrates the board’s commitment to promoting community engagement and environmental stewardship.
Supervisors also shared their perspectives and priorities regarding the budget during the meeting. Supervisor Tom Gordy emphasized the importance of fiscal responsibility while advocating for measures to reduce the tax burden on residents. Woodbridge District Supervisor Margaret Franklin highlighted the need to protect small businesses while supporting necessary tax increases to fund essential services. Coles District Supervisor Yesli Vega emphasized the importance of affordability and accessibility for county residents, advocating for measures to bridge the gap and ensure all residents can thrive in Prince William County.
The Board of County Supervisors will meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, 2024, to adopt its annual spending plan, which will take effect on July 1.
Caitlyn Meisner is a freelance reporter for Potomac Local News.
Below are options the Board may consider:
1) Leave as is ($2.15 per $100)
2) Raise gradually over next 4 years
3) Adopt higher rate now ($3.70 per $100)
For comparison, the tax rate on data centers in Loudoun County is $4.15, and in Fairfax County it’s $4.57.
Complete the survey now. This survey will be available until Friday, April 12. Thank you very much for your participation. Your opinion is greatly appreciated.
If you feel strongly about this, consider sending an email to the entire Board of County Supervisors by emailing [email protected]. You can also find a directory of phone numbers for each member of the Board on the county website.
Finally, consider attending one of the last few budget meetings on April 9, April 16, or the April 23 and speaking publicly. The last official public hearing is on April 9. You deserve to have your voice heard.
“The Prince William Board of County Supervisors this week gave a developer permission to construct taller data centers near Independent Hill than was previously allowed,” Insidenova.com reports.
The Prince William Board of County Supervisors will decide on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, whether or not data centers belong near Prince William Forest Park, the largest natural protected area near Washington, D.C. The server farms would be built on the east/north side of Dumfries Road (Route 234), east of its intersection with Independent Hill Drive.
The plan to build a data center campus on the property stirred interest and controversy within the community. If approved, it would be the first major data center project east of Manassas.
In a recent public hearing held on February 7, 2024, the Planning Commission made a significant decision regarding the future of Parsons Business Park. The commission recommended the denial of the Proffer Amendment, signaling a setback for the proposed rezoning of 90 acres of land.
The Parsons Business Park had previously been dedicated to selling topsoil and plants. The rezoning request aimed to amend existing proffers, increase the maximum height of data center buildings, and alter the base zoning designation to accommodate business and industrial uses.
Despite the plans, the Planning Commission stood firm in its decision to deny the rezoning request.
Following the denial, the Applicant, Parsons Business Park, LLC, responded by proposing proffer amendments to address concerns raised during the public hearing. These amendments sought to mitigate building height issues, environmental impacts, and design elements.
Key updates to the proposal included:
- Clarification of buffer encroachments
- Implementation of a 150-foot data center building restriction line
- Reduction of building height to 85 feet in specific land bays
- Enhancement of stream buffer width from 25 to 50 feet
- Strengthening of provisions related to environmental impacts
- Addition of sustainability measures
The Board of County Supervisors will hold a public hearing at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, at the McCoart County Government Center, 1 County Complex Court in Woodbridge. Most of the county’s data center campuses are in the western areas, along Interstate 66 in Haymarket and Gainesville.
In December, Superviosrs approved the PW Digital Gateway, a soon-to-be sprawling data center complex on 900 acres next to Prince William County’s second National Park, the Manassas National Battlefield, site of the first major battle of the Civil War.
"The Fredericksburg region will be the focus of Amazon Web Services’ multi-billion-dollar investment in data centers announced Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin Wednesday. The move represents the largest single economic development investment in the state's history, according to Governor Glenn Youngkin," reports the Fredericksburg Free Press.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
DeShundra Jefferson, chair of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors, answered resident and media questions about housing, data centers, and the future of the county at the Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, town hall event.
Hosted by InsideNoVa, Jefferson took questions from members of the media and residents during the nearly hourlong virtual town hall event. Jefferson was sworn in as chair in January.
This article requires a paid Locals Only Membership to read. Please Sign In or Upgrade to a paid membership. Thank you.
Insidenova.com: “Microsoft Corp. recently acquired vacant property zoned for data centers in Gainesville for more than $465 million, according to a Washington Business Journal report.”
“The publication reports the property comprises about 124 acres across two parcels at 13490 University Blvd. and 5941 Wellington Road, directly south of Conway Robinson State Forest and Manassas National Battlefield Park, near where the contentious PW Digital Gateway data center corridor is primed for development.”
“My district is hurting. This issue has torn apart our community,” Thomas lamented before the committee’s vote.
Kathy Kulick of the HOA Roundtable highlighted the contentious nature of the issue and emphasized the potential conflict between economic interests and environmental concerns. Kulick pointed out the influence and intimidation of the data center industry on localities, highlighting the need for state-level legislation to guide land use change requests.
“Localities are being overwhelmed by the enormous financial influence and intimidation of the industry,” Kulick told Potomac Local.
Chap Petersen, representing residents in a lawsuit against the Prince William Board of County Supervisors over the PW Digital Gateway development, echoed concerns about the data center industry’s overwhelming impact on rural areas. Petersen criticized the General Assembly’s inaction, emphasizing the environmental cost and the need for immediate legislative measures.
“The data center industry is overwhelming the Rural Crescent in Virginia. The environmental cost will be incalculable,” said the lawyer and former Democratic State Senator from Fairfax. “The General Assembly has done nothing for years. To defer the issue for ‘more study’ is a joke.”
The ongoing legal battle over the PW Digital Gateway development, approved by Prince William supervisors in December 2023, underscores the high stakes. Residents, supported by organizations like the American Battlefield Trust, argue that approving massive data centers near historical sites like the Manassas Battlefield National Park would irreversibly alter the region’s character and damage its historical significance, Insidenova.com reports.
The rezoning vote in December cleared the way for two companies, QTS and Compass Datacenters, Inc., to build the nearly 100-foot tall data center buildings on what has been billed as the world’s most significant data center complex, on nearly 900 acres next to the battlefield, a tourist magnet, and the site of the first major Civil War battle in 1861.
![Desundra Jefferson, Prince William Board of County Supervisors Chair At-large [Photo: Alan Gloss]](https://www.potomaclocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Jefferson.jpg){kind=link}
![Bill Wright, Gainesville resident and regular data center opponent. [Photo: Alan Gloss]](https://www.potomaclocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Deshundra-Jefferson-1260x840.jpg){kind=link}