Charles City neighbors voice frustrations over proposed data center

Charles City neighbors voice frustrations over proposed data center

CHARLES CITY COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Neighbors voiced concerns at a Charles City County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday night after leaders detailed plans for a proposed data center that would be built near homes.

The project, if approved, would rezone 515 acres of agricultural land to industrial use for the Roxbury Technology Park, a data center being developed by Diode Ventures.

A presenter said,

They require minimal public services, while generating significant tax revenue to fund community programs and improvements,

However, neighbors who live in the rezoning area — which is off of Charles City and Roxbury Roads — are frustrated.

One resident said,

We urge you to reject this rezoning proposal,

Another added:

There are other locations that would be better options,

Neighbors said their homes are only about 50 feet away from the proposed zone, and developers told them it would take 8 to 10 years to build the center.

One of those neighbors, Brandi Marano, told 8News,

There’s a constant hum with data centers, so it’s just constant noise,

“There’s going to be eight to 10 years of construction traffic. They said they’re going to build eight buildings at their last proposal. So there are so many things that concern me and other residents.”

Despite the pushback, developers and county officials continued to emphasize the benefits of the data center. They pointed to the 50 to 100 permanent jobs it could create, improvements to electrical infrastructure and more.

The presenter said,

The data center industry has accelerated the economy while transitioning to clean energy,

That presenter then said that the project aligns with the county’s comprehensive plan: maintaining a rural character while bringing in low-density jobs and minimal traffic.

However, some residents questioned that concept.

One person said,

I am struggling to understand how building a data center in a rural community would meet that goal,

The presenter shared slides showing how data centers have brought in millions of dollars in tax revenue for counties — but as Charles City County is currently financially struggling, neighbors are not on board.

Marano said,

If it’s going to take you ten years, it’s not a quick fix to the money problem,

Before developers can move forward, the county must approve the rezoning request. The vote is scheduled for April 15 at the Charles City government building.

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Charles City neighbors voice frustrations over proposed data center, source