WOODBRIDGE, Va. — The Prince William County Board of Supervisors voted against a resolution Tuesday that would have prohibited voting on major land use cases until next year.
If it had passed, it would have delayed the future of controversial data center projects in the county including the PW Digital Gateway.
Supervisors Wheeler, Angry, Bailey, Boddye, and Franklin voted against the resolution while Supervisors Lawson, Vega, and Weir voted for it.
Brentsville Supervisor Lawson introduced the measure, which proposed to hold off on “scheduling any land use public hearings during the period from Election Day, Nov. 7, 2023, through the end of the term of the current Board on Dec. 31, 2023.”
Lawson and many residents have been fiercely critical of Wheeler and other members for supporting large data center projects without, they claim, considering the potential impacts on quality of life and the environment.
Wheeler lost the Democratic primary against newcomer Deshundra Jefferson, who vocalized opposition against data centers in the county during her campaign. Lawson, the Republican nominee for chair, said the results are an indication of how the community feels about data centers.
"If you vote against this resolution, you’ll be doing so at your own peril," a woman who opposes data centers said in the meeting.
Nearly 100 people, opponents and supporters, signed up to speak to the board during the meeting.
“Over the last few years, our current board and Wheeler and her majority have been reckless in their approach to land development,” Lawson said during a press conference at the Manassas National Battlefield on Monday. “We are promising the voters of Prince William that we are committed to ensuring their trust and holding ourselves accountable to them.”
The board received more than 800 emails from the community in support of the resolution, according to the Coalition to Protect Prince William County.
Director Elena Schlossberg says the community "wants the same respect" from board members since they voted to approve a similar resolution for residential land-use cases in 2020.
“The time of ignoring the concerns of citizens must cease,” Schlossberg said. “Democracy has spoken in the last two elections.”
Although the makeup of the current board may not be enough to pass the resolution, if approved, it would affect the PW Digital Gateway.
Supporters of the project also spoke up during the meeting and warned board members about Lawson.
"I ask the board not to fall for Supervisor Lawson's political antics," one person said.
"You’re elected to serve a full four-year term, not a term dictated by a peer," another resident said.
QTS Data Centers, one of the two developers of PW Digital Gateway, held open houses earlier this year. CEO Chad Williams said he wants to work with the community.
The company boasts that the project, which spans about 2,100 acres, will bring a $15 billion economic investment in the county, hundreds of tech and business jobs and millions of dollars of new annual tax revenue.
Among many of the speakers at the meeting include property owners who say they are sick of waiting for an update. They describe being stuck on what to do next about their homes since a vote has been in limbo.
"We’ve put a lot of dreams on hold waiting on a decision on this project," a landowner said. "Yes or no, we need an answer."
A QTS spokesperson released a statement ahead of the vote:
"QTS looks forward to continuing to work with the Prince William Board of County Supervisors and all County residents. QTS has a unique opportunity to play a role in what could be the most significant economic development initiative in the County’s history. The Digital Gateway is expected to raise over $500 million dollars in annual data center tax revenue, providing support for the school system, county parks, police, fire departments, and more – without creating any additional demand for those services. QTS remains committed to accomplishing these goals as a responsible partner."
Another controversial project is Devlin Technology Park in Bristow, which would house 14 data centers on 270 acres. While the proposal is currently tabled, residents are concerned developers would hurry the process before the new board is sworn in.