Fairfax County leaders to vote on new standards that would restrict data center development

FAIRFAX, Va. — As the growth of data centers in northern Virginia continues to spread, Fairfax County officials have been considering ways to not only restrict development, but determine how to minimize any impact on nearby residents.

On Tuesday, supervisors are expected to vote on new zoning regulations and standards that would change the location, size and designs of data centers in the future.

Proponents argue data centers bring in jobs and millions of dollars in much-needed tax revenue. However, opponents -- including several vocal community coalitions -- believe that data centers and how close they are to properties can be detrimental to the environment, noise and quality of life.

In March, county leaders delved into proposed guidelines, which include setting a distance of at least 200 feet away from homes, having data centers located at least half a mile from a Metro station, implementing specific exterior designs, and requiring at least two noise studies.

Under the proposal, developments must receive special exception in zoned areas that currently allow by-right, meaning the approval process doesn’t require approved by the county board or public hearings.

Recommendations include prohibiting by-right in commercial and a specific industrial district. Data centers wouldn’t be allowed in zones designed for a combination of homes, shops, offices and recreational areas.

Chairman Jeff McKay previously said there needs to be more scrutiny when by-right is used in zones that aren’t so industrial but on the other hand, he adds that, “We do want to use by-right uses because that’s important to steer these data centers in those districts that makes sense. For the ones that fall in between, we want to have a say in those.”

Richard Newman, president of the Jefferson Green Condominium Association, hopes the board will vote on the new regulations. He and other community members have been fighting to stop a proposed 70-foot-tall data center at Plaza 500 on Edsall Road.

Neighbors previously helped stop the developer from constructing the site, but the company changed plans to a smaller footprint that gives them by-right use.

“It would be a huge blow to this whole area and severely decrease our property values,” Newman said.

The meeting starts at 4 p.m. but the vote may take place later in the evening because of the public comments portion.