Central Virginia Data Center Update

The growing demand for data center space in Virginia increasingly has led the industry to locations outside northern Virginia. As a result, many central Virginia jurisdictions recently revised their planning and zoning guidance to address where and how data centers may be approved and how potential architecture, noise and environmental concerns are to be addressed.

On Oct. 10, 2023, the Caroline County Board of Supervisors adopted a new zoning district, the Planned Innovation Research and Technology Park District, in which data centers are a permitted use. Detailed development standards and parameters also were adopted. As clearly noted by the Caroline County staff, the Board of Supervisors can modify these standards as part of a rezoning application request. Staff will conduct a town hall on data centers on Oct. 30, 2023, which will include a discussion of this zoning ordinance amendment.