In a unique and chilly demonstration, residents of Fredericksburg gathered Wednesday to protest a proposed data center development near the Rappahannock River by building snowmen.

Organized by the Rappahannock Community Coalition, the “Snowmen Against Data Centers” rally took place just one day after nearly 10 inches of snow blanketed the region. The snowmen were erected on the Mary Washington University Campus, City Hall, and a house off Harrell Road in Stafford County.

The protest comes on the same day of the Fredericksburg Planning Commission meeting, where commissioners took up a proposal to endorse a Comprehensive Plan Amendment, a Zoning Map Amendment applying the Technology Overlay District, and a Zoning Proffer Amendment — which would clear the way to build the city’s first data center. The city council announced it would pursue the data center on an “accelerated” timeline in December but has yet to disclose which firm would develop the project.

A staff report presented at the meeting outlined the city’s rationale for the Technology Overlay District, emphasizing its potential for economic development while balancing environmental concerns and urban planning considerations.

The report detailed discussions on the environmental impact, including protections for the Rappahannock River, increased setbacks from residential areas, and proposed water usage restrictions. Additionally, concerns were raised about noise levels from emergency generators, electricity availability, and impacts on the existing trail network. The proposal also includes measures to promote green energy initiatives and climate goals while ensuring that the development aligns with the city’s broader comprehensive plan.

Environmental and Transparency Concerns

Leading the protest effort was Alexanna Hengy, a local activist and outspoken critic of the proposed comprehensive plan amendment that would allow for constructing a data center next to a nursing home and the Fredericksburg Nationals baseball stadium.

“We’re 100% against it,” Hengy said. “The data center campus would at least double our city’s energy use, making it impossible for us to meet our climate goals—not just as a city, but as a planet.”

Hengy and the coalition argue that the environmental impact of the proposed data center cannot be ignored. Data centers require vast amounts of electricity, which is still derived from fossil fuels.

“They’re trying to build this data center only about 120 feet from apartment buildings and a nursing home,” she said. “That poses a direct health risk to our most vulnerable residents.”

Beyond environmental concerns, Hengy and her fellow activists have expressed frustration with Fredericksburg’s city leaders’ lack of transparency and accountability.

“In August, we attended a city council meeting where they were supposed to vote on spending $200,000 on a feasibility study for the data center,” Hengy explained. “We showed up, but midway through the meeting, they said they didn’t need to vote anymore because they were just going to take the money from the Economic Development Authority instead.”

Despite assurances that this was just a study and that construction was years away, Hengy alleges that city officials soon after began quietly laying the infrastructure for the project. Additionally, she criticized the city for not disclosing the developer behind the project, though through independent research, activists believe it to be Stack Infrastructure—a company with ties to the city’s Economic Development Authority.

“The process has been fast-tracked, which is not their usual procedure,” Hengy said.

Panel Discusses Future of Data Centers in Fredericksburg

As community debate over the Technology Overlay District continues, a panel discussion on January 29 at the Dorothy Hart Community Center examined the potential impact of data centers in the region. Sponsored by Friends of the Rappahannock and other advocacy groups and covered by the Fredericksburg Free Press, the event brought together environmentalists, engineers, commercial developers, and city officials, including Fredericksburg Mayor Kerry Devine.

Key Takeaways from the Discussion:

• Economic Growth vs. Environmental Impact: Panelists acknowledged the growing demand for data centers due to AI and digital expansion. If approved, the proposed site at Celebrate Virginia South could generate up to $60 million in tax revenue annually. However, critics argue the increased energy consumption would undermine the city’s goal of being fossil fuel-free by 2035.
• Energy Demand and Sustainability: Experts noted that renewable energy alone cannot meet the power demands of large-scale data centers, meaning facilities will likely rely on natural gas. “The big question is: Where are we getting the power?” said Daren Shumate, an engineering consultant.
• Zoning and Development Concerns: While the proposed Technology Overlay District would allow data centers as “by-right” developments—eliminating the need for special-use permits or public hearings—no official project has been approved yet. Another potential data center site near the Hylton Track and Gateway Blvd has not been formally proposed to city staff.

The discussion highlighted ongoing concerns over transparency and environmental protections, though Devine argued that revenue from data centers could help the city meet its climate goals.

The following public hearing on the Technology Overlay District is scheduled for February 25, 2025, City Council meeting at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall and will be streamed online.

Fredericksburg’s City Planning Commission will have a regular meeting on July 10. On the agenda are multiple applications from Micah Ecumenical Ministries and Mary Washington Healthcare in regards to The Jeremiah Project.

The project is a planned housing community for the city’s homeless. On the agenda is rezoning the 32- acre parcel near Roffman Road and Bakersfield Lane. A special Use Permit for institutional housing and vacation of right of way, will also be reviewed. The plan includes 189 units between an 80-unit building and 109 single or attached dwellings, in addition to three community buildings, a church, and a medical clinic. 

Micah has partnered with The Community Foundation to receive funding. The project is estimated to cost between $12 and $16 million, according to the Foundation’s website.

The meeting follows the Economic Development Authority’s July 8 decision not to allot $2 million from the American Rescue Plan Act Funds from the city to homeless initiatives. 

As reported by the Fredericksburg Free Press: 

“During the discussion that followed, two EDA members voiced hesitancy with committing EDA funds or asking for a match without a quantifiable plan. EDA member Joel Griffin also expressed concerns about potential redundancy regarding the group’s efforts.

“I would ask that we be cautious about trying to solve problems that other organizations within our community are already dealing with and already are experts on,” Griffin said. 

Ultimately, the only motion that arose authorized Black to reach out to “community partners” to find out what would be required to facilitate the first prong of the EDA plan, namely “immediate crisis response.” Immediately following the motion, the EDA formed a homelessness subcommittee, with Black and Anita Crossfield, a downtown business owner, comprising the group. “

The Planning Commission will meet July 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 715 Princess Ann Street.

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