HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Some Henrico County residents are taking a sigh of relief after the Board of Supervisors approved new regulations around data centers wanting to call Henrico home.
“I’m excited — I mean, totally elated about this,” said Henrico resident Sharon Klein.
The board voted on Tuesday, June 10, that companies wanting to bring a data center to Henrico will now have to attend a public hearing, allow the public to comment and get approval for a provisional use permit from the Board of Supervisors.
Previously, companies only needed approval from the Planning Commission to buy property and start building.
“It’s just becoming overwhelming and we’re starting to worry about what kind of effects that has on not just us but the ecosystem around us,” said another resident, Kim Davis.
Henrico is no stranger to data centers.
There are about 40 data center properties in Henrico. Additionally, Virginia has the largest concentration of data centers in the world — this is something that worries Klein and Davis.
“We’re not opposed to data centers flat out,” Klein said.” We just want to protect the community as best we can.”
Most of Henrico’s data centers are in White Oak Technology Park, located on Technology Boulevard in the Varina district.
Klein and Davis told 8News they trust the board to follow these new guidelines and are happy with the decision.
“They realize how much the industry can come in and creep in and buy up land,” Klein said.
They specifically were appreciative of Supervisor Tyrone Nelson who represents the Varina district.
“If a data center comes, then the data center will have to apply for a provisional use permit, which would in turn, give you the citizen, and us the Board of Supervisors, the opportunity to discuss each individual case,” Nelson said in a video posted to the county’s YouTube page. “We want to make sure that your voices are heard.”
8News reached out to Nelson for comment but have not heard back.
The board also changed the distance required between a data center and residential properties.
Instead of a 200-foot tree buffer, the board increased the buffer to 500-feet.
Henrico County attorney Andrew Newby clarified for 8News that any data centers already built, under construction or already approved by the Planning Commission will not have to follow the new guidelines.
These new guidelines were effective immediately.
