FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. — Fairfax County supervisors are set to vote today on a series of new regulations for data center developers, following months of delays. The regulations, if passed, would create more hurdles for developers before they can build.
The vote, originally scheduled for July, was delayed due to a clerical error in advertising the meeting. The issue has sparked outrage, especially from residents in urban areas like Alexandria near Plaza 500, where a data center project was initially halted.
Developers altered their plans, securing by-right approval, which has intensified calls for stricter regulations. Residents argue that placing data centers in densely populated, urban areas near homes, shops, and metro stations requires more careful consideration and oversight.
Some of the proposed regulations include, requiring companies to conduct noise impact studies, establishing a buffer zone, and imposing restrictions on building size in certain zones.
Residents near Plaza 500 are hoping that if the restrictions pass, their area will be included, though it appears the cut-off for these regulations may have been set for July 16, potentially allowing the Plaza 500 project to move forward.
The Board of Supervisors is expected to take up the issue around 4:30 p.m. today. WUSA9 will continue to follow this story closely.