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Fredericksburg City Hall
Mackintosh
The Fredericksburg Planning Commission rejected a proposal to create a Technology Overlay District (TOD) allowing data centers in Celebrate Virginia South in a 4-3 vote on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. The decision follows growing concerns over transparency, environmental impact, and infrastructure readiness. Councilman Will Mackintosh, speaking on Town Talk on News Talk 1230 WFVA earlier this month, had championed the proposal, calling it a transformative opportunity for the city, potentially generating $60 million annually in tax revenue. “We wanted to set the rules ahead of time so that developers know what’s expected,” McIntosh said. “This is a chance to fund schools, infrastructure, and hold the line on property taxes.” Despite financial benefits, residents and commissioners raised concerns over water use, noise, and transparency. Former City Council member Matt Kelly criticized the process, stating, "We still don’t have key details on energy and water agreements, yet we’re being rushed into a decision." With the Planning Commission's rejection, the City Council will now decide the district’s fate in a public hearing on February 25. They can either approve the TOD or follow the commission’s recommendation to require Special Use Permits (SUPs) for future data centers, allowing for case-by-case approval.

Mackintosh outlined the city’s long-term planning efforts, which date back to 2018 when Fredericksburg began setting tax rates and policies to align with neighboring jurisdictions. With Northern Virginia running out of space, developers have turned their attention south, making Fredericksburg a prime target for new data center development.

Officials have proposed a Technology Overlay District—a designated 250-acre area in Celebrate Virginia South, near Wegmans and the Fredericksburg Nationals stadium to ensure that data centers fit within the city's framework. This district will allow data centers by right if they meet strict environmental and design regulations.

“We didn’t want to be reactive to data center proposals,” Mackintosh said. “We wanted to set the terms ahead of time—where it makes sense and under what conditions.”

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The Northern Virginia real estate market is experiencing an increase in home listings, with notable pricing and inventory level changes across Fairfax, Prince William, Stafford, and Spotsylvania counties. This shift comes amid large-scale federal job cuts, prompting some government employees to list their homes out of economic uncertainty.

Federal Job Cuts and Housing Market Impact

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The Stafford County Board of Supervisors will vote on significant changes to its bylaws governing appointments to local and regional boards and commissions during its meeting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.

The proposed changes come in response to the controversy surrounding the removal of a Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) Board of Trustees member and the subsequent censure of Supervisor Monica Gary.

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Fredericksburg City Hall

On Wednesday night, the Fredericksburg Planning Commission voted 4-3 to reject a proposed Technology Overlay District (TOD) that would have allowed data centers and technology-focused development in Celebrate Virginia South, near the Fredericksburg Nationals baseball stadium. The motion to approve the district failed by a 4-3 vote, and a second motion recommending that the City Council require Special Use Permits (SUPs) for data centers instead passed by the same margin.

The vote came after a lengthy public hearing in which residents, environmental advocates, and commissioners raised concerns about transparency, environmental impact, and infrastructure readiness.

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The 2024-2025 MVHS MCJROTC Marksmanship Team | Photo: Aya Karouane

The Wildcat Battalion Marksmanship Team at Mountain View High School has secured a spot in the All-Service Championship—and they’re not stopping there.

Cadets Wallace Hogan, Brooke Hartkopf, Marisa McDonough, Elizabeth Gunn, and Caeleigh Brown, under the guidance of Sergeant Major Allen Tanner, are sharpening their skills as part of the Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC). Their hard work and dedication have propelled them to this impressive milestone.

Rigorous Training and Selection Process

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Coldest Night of the Year (Photo | Micah)

Although the area has already braved several winter storms in 2025, Fredericksburg’s Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) is still eight days away. 

On February 22, 2025, Micah Ecumenical Ministries will host its annual CNOY fundraising walk. Participants will meet at the downtown Riverfront Park at 4 p.m. to begin check-in before the walk starts at 5 p.m.

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Fredericksburg is taking another step forward to become a more walkable community with the recent start of construction off LaFayette Boulevard, which is part of the city’s Twin Lake Drive and Kensington Pedestrian Connector project.

This $2.4 million project includes extending a 10-foot wide paved shared-use path along the north side of Lafayette Boulevard between Twin Lake Drive and St. Paul Street in the City of Fredericksburg. The path will be accessible, with ramps and crosswalks built where the route intersects with Twin Lakes Drive, Springwood Drive, Kensington Place, and St. Paul Street.

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