“We have gotten concerns about the speed,” said Thomas Ruff, a traffic engineer with Timmons Group, working with city officials to look at the one-way streets in neighborhoods right outside the business district.
The study intended to evaluate the feasibility and potential impacts of converting select one-way streets to two-way streets in a downtown area, as described in their description. Bike lanes, traffic calming measures intended to slow drivers, and proposed pedestrian improvements were part of the discussion.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (25.7MB)
Subscribe: Spotify | TuneIn | RSS | More
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.
The Fredericksburg City Council held a work session on December 10 to discuss a proposed ordinance allowing the city to develop data centers.
The discussion focused on creating a data center overlay district, with the Celebrate Virginia South area next to Virginia Credit Union Stadium, home of the Fredericksburg Nationals, being the primary proposed location. The ordinance would establish zoning, performance standards, and environmental protections for the potential development.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Fredericksburg City staff this week presented an overview of a draft zoning ordinance that would provide for by right data center development.
In a statement, Dr. Duffy shared that recent developments within his family and his ongoing battle with prostate cancer, initially treated in 2019, prompted him to reprioritize his commitments. "My family needs me, and I need them," Dr. Duffy stated, visibly moved as he addressed his colleagues and the public.
Reflecting on his tenure, Dr. Duffy expressed immense gratitude for the opportunity to serve the community and collaborate with fellow council members and city staff. "This body means so much to me and this city. It has been an amazing experience," he said. He acknowledged the challenges ahead but remained optimistic about his decision, calling himself “the luckiest person you will ever meet.”
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
The Fredericksburg City Council has outlined an ambitious three-year celebration that will start with the 250th anniversary of the U.S. in 2026 and culminate with the city's 300th anniversary two years later.
The plans, unveiled during the November 26 work session, will spotlight the nation's founding, Revolutionary War heritage, and Fredericksburg's integral role in American history.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
On Tuesday, November 12, 2024, the Fredericksburg City Council approved a resolution to continue exploring data center development, particularly in the Celebrate Virginia South area.
The city aims to classify data-center development in the area as by-right, meaning the city council would require no public hearing before a data center could be built. The vote intensified public discourse over data centers' potential economic benefits and environmental concerns.
This article requires a paid Locals Only Membership to read. Please Sign In or Upgrade to a paid membership. Thank you.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 12, 2024, the Fredericksburg City Council is set to vote on a resolution that supports the continued exploration and attraction of data centers to the city, mainly targeting the Celebrate Virginia South area near the Fredericksburg Nationals baseball stadium. This decision follows recent adjustments in Fredericksburg's tax policies, which align the city’s computer and peripheral tax rates with those in surrounding Stafford and Spotsylvania counties, part of Planning District 16.
According to city documents, efforts to lure data centers to Fredericksburg have been in the works for over a decade. In 2018, the council began publicly discussing the possibility of voting on amendments to the city code to designate data centers as a by-right use in specific zoning areas. Last month, the council unanimously agreed to a reduced tax rate of $1.25 per $100 of assessed value on all computer and peripheral equipment used in data centers, a move mirrored by other surrounding localities.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Brent Hunsinger, a representative for the organization, spoke on the importance of expanding tree cover in urban areas, stating, “Thank you very much for working with the city on this issue…we feel that this is a very important step so that our lawmakers in Richmond can see that localities care about this as well, not just organizations such as Friends of the Rappahannock, as we work towards expanding that authority potentially down the road to try preserve and expand that urban tree canopy.”
Urban tree canopy initiatives provide numerous benefits, including improved air quality, reduced heat, and enhanced community well-being. These projects are increasingly recognized as essential for building climate resilience in cities, where trees help mitigate the effects of urban heat and contribute to carbon sequestration. With the legislative session approaching in January, Fredericksburg’s request for increased authority to preserve and grow its tree canopy reflects a broader commitment to environmental sustainability.
