U.S. intelligence agencies, specifically DHS and FBI, have introduced a new category called "anti-tech violent extremism" to monitor activists opposing AI development and data center construction. The category appears to sweep broadly, documents suggest that parents, retirees, farmers, and ordinary Americans speaking out at county meetings are being viewed as potential threats simply for raising concerns about large AI projects in their communities. So I assume everyone on this thread will be marked as a "terrorist" for speaking up. So be it. If standing for what is right, for protecting our children, their future, and their health is now deemed terrorism, then so be it. Anyone who votes for these AI centers should be deemed a terrorist in my opinion. Frederick County DO WHAT IS RIGHT!
The PRIMARY disqualifying issue of the Virginia Technology Park in my professional opinion are the planned 288 diesel-fired generators which are intended for emergency power supply (only). The applicant was indecisive at the Planning Commission Work Session on May 5, 2026 wherein they stated that the generators may be diesel or natural gas. The final tendered rezone application concluded that a 36” natural gas pipeline would be required to serve the project. Therefore the applicant, evidently for cost and convenience reasons, selected the least cost option. Let me repeat: for short term cost and convenience; the applicant has selected the dirtiest fuel source available. Furthermore, the Applicant has stated their intention to deploy Tier 4 Generators which according to Virginia State Law is the only option available after July 1, 2026.
Diesel and to a lesser extent, natural gas generators are known to emit fine particulate matter (PM2.5) for which there is no safe level of exposure. Fine Particulate Matter is 30 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. In addition, Nitrogen Oxide (NO) and Carbon Monoxide (CO) are emitted from diesel generators. EXPOSURE TO PM2.5 CAN INDUCE CHILDHOOD ASTHMA, HEART ATTACKS, STROKE, LUNG DISEASE AND PREMATURE DEATH .
Therefore, the use of 288 diesel-fired generators will damage the health, safety and welfare of the residents of Frederick County due to the effects of industrial air pollution. The cost of the air pollution is conservatively estimated to range from $525 million to $980 million. On this basis alone, the rezone for the proposed project should be denied because it is inconsistent with the Northeast Land Use Plan. The proffer only agrees to abide by Virginia Law and does nothing to mitigate the impact of the proposed project on air quality.
I strongly oppose the development of data centers in Frederick County. We know the Planning Commission is aware of the dangerous threats they pose to our health and resources. There is growing bipartisan opposition to data centers across the country. I call for a moratorium on all development of this sort until the billionaire-led companies develop technology that is safe and sustainable.
In addition, the threats to our beautiful valley are aggregated because of the surrounding mountains that capture sound and particle pollution. Also, our rock structure will not support such high weights, resulting in mass earth shifts and sinkholes.
Data centers are a horrible idea for Frederic County. Follow the will of the people. Linda Reed
Our Comp Plan and NELUP commit to preserving rural heritage, agricultural soils, and a diversified economy with high-wage jobs. As VA's hottest real estate market, we easily attract employment. A 900-MW DC campus conflicts with this vision and repels jobs, risking our energy stability, watershed, and tourism viewsheds. Pursuant to SB 94, we should require a cumulative impact assessment for the area to analyze the long-term infrastructure footprint for a load 3x what SVEC serves (265 MW) & par with REC’s 22-county reach (1,150 MW). This facility risks an urban heat island effect, threatening our watershed (Duncan Run) and Ag economy—notably fruit, where we lead as VA's #1 producer. This burden outweighs minimal job creation, conflicting with EDA & all county goals. Future DC development must follow a strict transitional zoning framework, prioritizing human-centered tech campuses as buffers so they do not abruptly abut sensitive home & rural boundaries. No approval should move forward without these mandates. These ideas are not new; our USA DCs already do them overseas. We need to help them rise with American Pride: Resource Management requires 100% greywater use & off-site treatment to protect potable water (see SB 553), & waste-heat recovery for local or industry uses (see HB 323), alongside geothermal cooling. Energy & Design mandates, integrated green energy (rooftop/wall solar, various fuel cells (hydrogen), battery storage) instead of diesel, & heights under 40 feet using stepped, partially underground structures. Community Integration requires "third space" assets (workspaces/symposium areas) to protect neighboring job campuses & ease obsolete future redevelopment, achieving 7 of 10 sustainability options (green roofs, bee habitats, agricultural proffers). Entrance corridors protected in our comp plan must remain a welcoming gateway to our Valley & VA, not an industrialized energy corridor. Let us safeguard future generations. Gainesboro, Leslie Spencer
I oppose the approval of this development, or the development of any data centers in Frederick County. I reside in the Stonewall District. This is deeply concerning on so many levels. Please put an end to this and protect the valley, its resources, and the health and well being of its residents.
Opequon District
I am joining my voice with the citizens who oppose allowing data centers to our rural landscape. So no rezoning to any designation that allows data centers. Enough damage has been caused by the massive over development of housing:Development without adequate supporting infrastructure, so please acknowledge the opposition to further destruction/depletion of our resources and our rural lifestyle. Do not allow data centers or any rezoning that allows the centers to be built.
I reside in the Back Creek Magisterial District. I'm not opposed to data centers in the county. I am, however, opposed to this project as it currently exists. I have reviewed the proposal and shared my concerns with the Planning staff. Based on the latest information, it appears the staff shares some of my concerns.
This proposal is too large. This site would be one of the largest capacity single data center complexes currently in the state, at a projected 900MW. As I've stated in my concerns presented to staff, the site needs to be scaled down.
Also, after reading some of the other comments and opinions in the Winchester Star, there needs to be a serious education campaign about this data center project to dispel the misinformation/lack of understanding from both sides of the "discussion".
My sincere compliments to the Planning Staff for acting as the front line in this highly contentious debate—a fair compromise is the best outcome we can hope for. It's worth noting the irony that these very words are delivered via a data center somewhere, though ideally not in our immediate backyards.
Professional economist. Live in Frederick Co and love it.
Net tax revenue increases will NOT MEET expectations. Myriad reasons for this; including construction delays, decreasing GPU costs, tax breaks, reduction in value of other taxable property, and unusually low tax rates.
No other meaningful long-term benefits exist. Minimal ongoing jobs, usage of outside construction firms, etc....
Data center presence will decrease other taxable value for the county, especially in the 75 SQUARE MILES surrounding each data complex.
Geologists have warned that our valley aquifers DO NOT have the robustness to handle large increases in water usage.
Loudon Co has experimented with data centers and is now pushing back - even against individual data centers. We should learn from their mistake.
There exists a large, organized, body of FredCo residents who will not reelect any member of the BOS voting to degrade our agricultural land with data centers.
Hello, I am a life long resident of Frederick County and reside in the Back Creek district. This is my home and I have never wanted to leave, I chose to raise my family here. I am proud to call this beautiful valley my home. I am strongly opposed to this rezoning request for the Virginia Technology Park and any other applicants that would file in another district. I do not understand why our planning commission or BOS would even consider this. The impact it would have on our community, resources and agriculture is alarming. We have been in a drought for the past several years and water tables are low, I do not understand why this would even be up for consideration. The board and the planning commission needs to listen to the community and put there own personal agenda aside. The fact that our board early on in these discussions signed NDA's and visited data centers and kept this from the community they were elected to represent is highly unacceptable and they should step down. I truly understand that we have to find new ways for revenue but to put this hardship on destroying this beautiful county we live in and affecting every citizen that lives here and impact their way of life is unacceptable. Tourist come from all around to see the nature, farms, and the beauty of the land not a concrete jungle of mass noisy data centers. You have a community that loves the area, are forming groups that are trying to come up with new avenues that would benefit us and not harm our land. Please listen to the citizens of Frederick County and make the right decision DO NOT OPEN FREDERICK COUNTY UP FOR ANY DATA CENTERS !!!!!!!!! I think the entire world is standing up and speaking out against this ! I hope that you as elected officials listen to your community, Thank you for your time.
Dear members of the planning commission ,
I am out of town and unable to attend tonight’s meeting.
As a resident and land owner in the Opequon District, I urge you to please listen to your neighbors. The majority do not want Data Centers in our community. The short term payoff will not benefit our community moving forward.
Please reconsider what Frederick County has to offer and find a more sustainable solution.
Thank you.
I reside in the Back Creek District & oppose Rezoning #04-26 for Virginia Technology Park to develop a data center campus.
We, the people, are watching what these data centers are doing to rural communities around the country and know the irreversible damage they cause.
Data center developers come into our communities, take the natural resources they want, lie about the tax revenue they'll generate, and ultimately leave the residents to pick up the pieces in our homes that are worthless, on our land that is ruined, and with our water that no longer flows.
If our local government officials are brave and strong enough to keep out the data centers, they'll make Frederick County one of the most sought after areas in Virginia because families are seeking places to live with moral leadership and, more importantly, no data centers.
The current data center feeding frenzy is temporary.
Protecting our land and prioritizing our community are forever.
I oppose the proposed data center rezoning in ClearBrook because it is not compatible with the rural character and agricultural heritage of this area. The project would convert open land into industrial development while providing relatively few permanent jobs compared to its footprint.
I am concerned about increased demand on water and electrical infrastructure, potential noise from cooling equipment and backup generators, impacts on nearby homes, and the loss of farmland and open space. Frederick County should prioritize protecting existing residents, agriculture, and quality of life before approving large-scale industrial rezoning.
I urge the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors to deny this rezoning request or require substantially stronger protections, setbacks, buffering, and infrastructure commitments before any approval is considered.
I am a Gainesboro resident and live within 4 miles
Of the proposed data center location. I adamantly opppose the reasoning of this land for a data center
I'm a resident of the Gainesboro District, and I oppose this rezoning. Respectfully, I urge the Planning Commission to recommend denial.
The County’s own staff report raises too many concerns for this application to move forward. Staff note that the NELUP discourages uses that significantly contribute to air, noise, and light pollution or large volumes of truck traffic. Staff also note that this property sits in a transition area between planned intensive development and the rural western portion of the County. In other words, this project could set the standard for how industrial development affects rural neighbors.
That standard should not be set while major questions remain unresolved.
Noise remains one of the biggest concerns. Staff state the updated sound study still represents a significant additional sound impact to neighboring residential properties, and the County’s third-party sound consultant had not completed its review as of the staff report. Water and sewer questions also remain. Although the applicant has proffered a 120,000-gallon-per-day cap and no private groundwater use, staff still identify the need for more information on specific public water and sewer upgrades and how those upgrades would be achieved without impacting other property owners.
The proffers do not adequately resolve these concerns. Staff continue to raise issues involving Flex Tech uses allowing M1 uses, berm specifics, enforceability of design guidelines, building heights, sound mitigation, and protection of nearby residences and the rural transition area.
This should not come down to potential tax revenue or whether the applicant has made improvements. The real question is whether this rezoning is appropriate for this location and protective enough for nearby residents. Based on the unresolved concerns in the staff report, it is not.
Please protect rural residents, agricultural land, infrastructure, and the County’s long-term future. Recommend denial of REZ #04-26.
I reside in the Back Creek District & oppose Rezoning #04-26 for Virginia Technology Park to develop Data Center uses.
I am not necessarily opposed to Data Centers in Frederick Co, but I am concerned about Hyper-scale Data Centers. I agree with Julie Bolthouse, Piedmont Environmental Council, who opposes locating a hyper-scale Data Center where housing is already established. There is not yet enough empirical evidence that the proposed Center will operate in a no-negative-impact manner.
Frederick Water has established a usage restriction of 35,000 GPD per 800,000 sq ft of data center. While this will provide some protection to water resources, roof-top air-cooled systems will be necessary to meet that requirement. Rooftop air-cooled systems significantly increase a building's electricity consumption.
Additionally, “Data Center noise impacts may extend up to 0.75-miles,” according to Community & Environmental Defense Services (CEDS). “A noise impact may be more likely if the data center is cooled with air and rooftop fans or if it is likely diesel generators frequently run as a backup power supply.” “Low-frequency noise is most likely if a data center is air-cooled with rooftop fans.”
The County Noise Ordinance doesn’t specify what decibel scale (A or C weighted) its noise limits are referencing. A-weighted decibels (dBA) miss low-frequency noise. “Low-frequency data center noise that exceeds just one of the nine octave bands … can make life miserable for area residents even though dBA and dBC limits are met.” (https://ceds.org/datacenter/)
A data center proposal should not be considered for any location until a thorough analysis of each potential impact has been conducted by an independent third party.
Once constructed, there will be no going back, leaving neighboring homeowners and residents to carry the heaviest burden imposed by that decision. Therefore, I encourage you to protect Clearbrook residents and reject the proposed Technology Park.
My husband and I live in the Gainsboro voting district and reside across the lane of the proposed data center complex.
Water is a big concern since our well will be directly across the road in our front yard. Any hazardous waste or disaster that would occur will directly affect our well. Our area is drought prone so will data center extra water use could result in our well running dry.
The electrical grid in our area was already taxed during our recent snowstorm. SVEC threatened a rolling blackout due to a weather event. The grid would be unreasonably taxed by 10 data centers on a daily basis.
Noise pollution of not over 70 decibels is unreasonable for a residential community. Our home would have no buffer on the noise or air pollution that will occur on a daily basis.
Light pollution would be detrimental to humans as well as any crops of small local gardeners.
The developers proposing this huge complex are not experienced in building data centers. A complex that they are proposing would take planning and expertise that an inexperienced developer should not be allowed to undertake in haste.
The County raised our taxes, however, the data center rate of tax is based on and old tax rate from years prior. I cannot support and oppose this proposed rezoning for a mega data center complex. It adds nothing to the quality of life that my husband and I have enjoyed for 40 years.
I oppose the approval of this development, or the development of any data centers in Frederick County. I reside in the Shawnee District of Frederick County.
I live in the Gainesboro District. I have lived in Gainesville, Manassas, and most recently, Middleburg, VA. I have lived in NoVA since 1974. My husband and I work full-time in NoVA. We chose Frederick County, VA for several reasons, to include the rural culture and landscape of the County. The economic development initiatives, zoning maps, and County government appeared to be strategically focused on the health, safety and welfare of its citizenry as demonstrated by the CURRENT Comp Plan and NELP. I oppose this rezoning as I believe the application is vague, hypothetical, and incompatible with the CURRENT Comp Plan/NELP by which it is to be evaluated. No rezoning should take place under these current conditions. Our officials should encourage thoughtful economic development that strengthens Frederick County without fundamentally changing or destroying what makes us special. There is a delicate balance between growth and opportunity, and preservation. Sustainable growth dictates that we should not be destroying nor sacrificing the very things we value as a community. There comes a moment when the conversation should become about more than opportunity alone. When our stakeholders consistently say a project does not fit the character, vision, or future they want for their community, perhaps that deserves thoughtful consideration. I would also like to comment that during a community gathering this weekend, a gentleman stated that he had been told of the potential that there is a burial site for the enslaved on the subject property. Oftentimes, this information is shared through oral history or found in cryptic documentation in County records. It must be explored as it is significant. One only needs to look east to Loudoun County, Pastor Michelle Thomas and Belmont. https://www.npr.org/2020/10/19/919106859/a-pastor-rescues-a-cemetery-for-enslaved-people-then-buries-her-son-in-it
Marc Apter, Stonewall District, Past-President IEEE-USA; Supposedly the developer has proposed a noise limitation level of 60-dBA (a-weighted decibels) for the project's western and southern property lines, which abut residential properties. But since most complaints about noise from data centers are low frequency sounds, and 60-dBA will not address the low frequency sound issue. The County should require the developer must PROVE that there are no significant tonal components, a noise penalty of 6db(A) will be applied. (This is recommended by the Industrial Noise and Vibration Centre.) The same low frequency noise issues should be applicable to the sub-station being proposed across from this property! Also, what about polluted run-off into Duncan Run? They are proposing a large office complex, that isn't part of any data center, and will generate a large amount of auto and possible truck traffic on narrow country roads, so why aren't they paying to upgrade any roads they access from the property. Will Frederick County Fire & Rescue require any unique equipment and/or training to do their jobs, and if so, is there any proffer for that?
I’m in the Redbud District and oppose the rezoning #04-26. No additional data centers should be built in Frederick County. I oppose any data centers for the following reasons;
- Water usage and contamination concerns
- Power usage and increased electricity bills for everyone
- Noise pollution
- “Emergency” diesel generators being run frequently contributing to additional noise and air pollution
- Lack of jobs provided after initial construction
- Lack of independent studies done on the effects of data centers
Please do not sell out our beautiful county to these mega corporations. There have to be better ways to bring in tax revenue without turning us into the new Loudoun / Prince William County
U.S. intelligence agencies, specifically DHS and FBI, have introduced a new category called "anti-tech violent extremism" to monitor activists opposing AI development and data center construction. The category appears to sweep broadly, documents suggest that parents, retirees, farmers, and ordinary Americans speaking out at county meetings are being viewed as potential threats simply for raising concerns about large AI projects in their communities. So I assume everyone on this thread will be marked as a "terrorist" for speaking up. So be it. If standing for what is right, for protecting our children, their future, and their health is now deemed terrorism, then so be it. Anyone who votes for these AI centers should be deemed a terrorist in my opinion. Frederick County DO WHAT IS RIGHT!
The PRIMARY disqualifying issue of the Virginia Technology Park in my professional opinion are the planned 288 diesel-fired generators which are intended for emergency power supply (only). The applicant was indecisive at the Planning Commission Work Session on May 5, 2026 wherein they stated that the generators may be diesel or natural gas. The final tendered rezone application concluded that a 36” natural gas pipeline would be required to serve the project. Therefore the applicant, evidently for cost and convenience reasons, selected the least cost option. Let me repeat: for short term cost and convenience; the applicant has selected the dirtiest fuel source available. Furthermore, the Applicant has stated their intention to deploy Tier 4 Generators which according to Virginia State Law is the only option available after July 1, 2026.
Diesel and to a lesser extent, natural gas generators are known to emit fine particulate matter (PM2.5) for which there is no safe level of exposure. Fine Particulate Matter is 30 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. In addition, Nitrogen Oxide (NO) and Carbon Monoxide (CO) are emitted from diesel generators. EXPOSURE TO PM2.5 CAN INDUCE CHILDHOOD ASTHMA, HEART ATTACKS, STROKE, LUNG DISEASE AND PREMATURE DEATH .
Therefore, the use of 288 diesel-fired generators will damage the health, safety and welfare of the residents of Frederick County due to the effects of industrial air pollution. The cost of the air pollution is conservatively estimated to range from $525 million to $980 million. On this basis alone, the rezone for the proposed project should be denied because it is inconsistent with the Northeast Land Use Plan. The proffer only agrees to abide by Virginia Law and does nothing to mitigate the impact of the proposed project on air quality.
I strongly oppose the development of data centers in Frederick County. We know the Planning Commission is aware of the dangerous threats they pose to our health and resources. There is growing bipartisan opposition to data centers across the country. I call for a moratorium on all development of this sort until the billionaire-led companies develop technology that is safe and sustainable.
In addition, the threats to our beautiful valley are aggregated because of the surrounding mountains that capture sound and particle pollution. Also, our rock structure will not support such high weights, resulting in mass earth shifts and sinkholes.
Data centers are a horrible idea for Frederic County. Follow the will of the people. Linda Reed
Our Comp Plan and NELUP commit to preserving rural heritage, agricultural soils, and a diversified economy with high-wage jobs. As VA's hottest real estate market, we easily attract employment. A 900-MW DC campus conflicts with this vision and repels jobs, risking our energy stability, watershed, and tourism viewsheds. Pursuant to SB 94, we should require a cumulative impact assessment for the area to analyze the long-term infrastructure footprint for a load 3x what SVEC serves (265 MW) & par with REC’s 22-county reach (1,150 MW). This facility risks an urban heat island effect, threatening our watershed (Duncan Run) and Ag economy—notably fruit, where we lead as VA's #1 producer. This burden outweighs minimal job creation, conflicting with EDA & all county goals. Future DC development must follow a strict transitional zoning framework, prioritizing human-centered tech campuses as buffers so they do not abruptly abut sensitive home & rural boundaries. No approval should move forward without these mandates. These ideas are not new; our USA DCs already do them overseas. We need to help them rise with American Pride: Resource Management requires 100% greywater use & off-site treatment to protect potable water (see SB 553), & waste-heat recovery for local or industry uses (see HB 323), alongside geothermal cooling. Energy & Design mandates, integrated green energy (rooftop/wall solar, various fuel cells (hydrogen), battery storage) instead of diesel, & heights under 40 feet using stepped, partially underground structures. Community Integration requires "third space" assets (workspaces/symposium areas) to protect neighboring job campuses & ease obsolete future redevelopment, achieving 7 of 10 sustainability options (green roofs, bee habitats, agricultural proffers). Entrance corridors protected in our comp plan must remain a welcoming gateway to our Valley & VA, not an industrialized energy corridor. Let us safeguard future generations. Gainesboro, Leslie Spencer
I oppose the approval of this development, or the development of any data centers in Frederick County. I reside in the Stonewall District. This is deeply concerning on so many levels. Please put an end to this and protect the valley, its resources, and the health and well being of its residents.
Opequon District
I am joining my voice with the citizens who oppose allowing data centers to our rural landscape. So no rezoning to any designation that allows data centers. Enough damage has been caused by the massive over development of housing:Development without adequate supporting infrastructure, so please acknowledge the opposition to further destruction/depletion of our resources and our rural lifestyle. Do not allow data centers or any rezoning that allows the centers to be built.
I reside in the Back Creek Magisterial District. I'm not opposed to data centers in the county. I am, however, opposed to this project as it currently exists. I have reviewed the proposal and shared my concerns with the Planning staff. Based on the latest information, it appears the staff shares some of my concerns.
This proposal is too large. This site would be one of the largest capacity single data center complexes currently in the state, at a projected 900MW. As I've stated in my concerns presented to staff, the site needs to be scaled down.
Also, after reading some of the other comments and opinions in the Winchester Star, there needs to be a serious education campaign about this data center project to dispel the misinformation/lack of understanding from both sides of the "discussion".
My sincere compliments to the Planning Staff for acting as the front line in this highly contentious debate—a fair compromise is the best outcome we can hope for. It's worth noting the irony that these very words are delivered via a data center somewhere, though ideally not in our immediate backyards.
Professional economist. Live in Frederick Co and love it.
Net tax revenue increases will NOT MEET expectations. Myriad reasons for this; including construction delays, decreasing GPU costs, tax breaks, reduction in value of other taxable property, and unusually low tax rates.
No other meaningful long-term benefits exist. Minimal ongoing jobs, usage of outside construction firms, etc....
Data center presence will decrease other taxable value for the county, especially in the 75 SQUARE MILES surrounding each data complex.
Geologists have warned that our valley aquifers DO NOT have the robustness to handle large increases in water usage.
Loudon Co has experimented with data centers and is now pushing back - even against individual data centers. We should learn from their mistake.
There exists a large, organized, body of FredCo residents who will not reelect any member of the BOS voting to degrade our agricultural land with data centers.
Thank you for your time.
Hello, I am a life long resident of Frederick County and reside in the Back Creek district. This is my home and I have never wanted to leave, I chose to raise my family here. I am proud to call this beautiful valley my home. I am strongly opposed to this rezoning request for the Virginia Technology Park and any other applicants that would file in another district. I do not understand why our planning commission or BOS would even consider this. The impact it would have on our community, resources and agriculture is alarming. We have been in a drought for the past several years and water tables are low, I do not understand why this would even be up for consideration. The board and the planning commission needs to listen to the community and put there own personal agenda aside. The fact that our board early on in these discussions signed NDA's and visited data centers and kept this from the community they were elected to represent is highly unacceptable and they should step down. I truly understand that we have to find new ways for revenue but to put this hardship on destroying this beautiful county we live in and affecting every citizen that lives here and impact their way of life is unacceptable. Tourist come from all around to see the nature, farms, and the beauty of the land not a concrete jungle of mass noisy data centers. You have a community that loves the area, are forming groups that are trying to come up with new avenues that would benefit us and not harm our land. Please listen to the citizens of Frederick County and make the right decision DO NOT OPEN FREDERICK COUNTY UP FOR ANY DATA CENTERS !!!!!!!!! I think the entire world is standing up and speaking out against this ! I hope that you as elected officials listen to your community, Thank you for your time.
Dear members of the planning commission ,
I am out of town and unable to attend tonight’s meeting.
As a resident and land owner in the Opequon District, I urge you to please listen to your neighbors. The majority do not want Data Centers in our community. The short term payoff will not benefit our community moving forward.
Please reconsider what Frederick County has to offer and find a more sustainable solution.
Thank you.
I reside in the Back Creek District & oppose Rezoning #04-26 for Virginia Technology Park to develop a data center campus.
We, the people, are watching what these data centers are doing to rural communities around the country and know the irreversible damage they cause.
Data center developers come into our communities, take the natural resources they want, lie about the tax revenue they'll generate, and ultimately leave the residents to pick up the pieces in our homes that are worthless, on our land that is ruined, and with our water that no longer flows.
If our local government officials are brave and strong enough to keep out the data centers, they'll make Frederick County one of the most sought after areas in Virginia because families are seeking places to live with moral leadership and, more importantly, no data centers.
The current data center feeding frenzy is temporary.
Protecting our land and prioritizing our community are forever.
I oppose the proposed data center rezoning in ClearBrook because it is not compatible with the rural character and agricultural heritage of this area. The project would convert open land into industrial development while providing relatively few permanent jobs compared to its footprint.
I am concerned about increased demand on water and electrical infrastructure, potential noise from cooling equipment and backup generators, impacts on nearby homes, and the loss of farmland and open space. Frederick County should prioritize protecting existing residents, agriculture, and quality of life before approving large-scale industrial rezoning.
I urge the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors to deny this rezoning request or require substantially stronger protections, setbacks, buffering, and infrastructure commitments before any approval is considered.
I am a Gainesboro resident and live within 4 miles
Of the proposed data center location. I adamantly opppose the reasoning of this land for a data center
I'm a resident of the Gainesboro District, and I oppose this rezoning. Respectfully, I urge the Planning Commission to recommend denial.
The County’s own staff report raises too many concerns for this application to move forward. Staff note that the NELUP discourages uses that significantly contribute to air, noise, and light pollution or large volumes of truck traffic. Staff also note that this property sits in a transition area between planned intensive development and the rural western portion of the County. In other words, this project could set the standard for how industrial development affects rural neighbors.
That standard should not be set while major questions remain unresolved.
Noise remains one of the biggest concerns. Staff state the updated sound study still represents a significant additional sound impact to neighboring residential properties, and the County’s third-party sound consultant had not completed its review as of the staff report. Water and sewer questions also remain. Although the applicant has proffered a 120,000-gallon-per-day cap and no private groundwater use, staff still identify the need for more information on specific public water and sewer upgrades and how those upgrades would be achieved without impacting other property owners.
The proffers do not adequately resolve these concerns. Staff continue to raise issues involving Flex Tech uses allowing M1 uses, berm specifics, enforceability of design guidelines, building heights, sound mitigation, and protection of nearby residences and the rural transition area.
This should not come down to potential tax revenue or whether the applicant has made improvements. The real question is whether this rezoning is appropriate for this location and protective enough for nearby residents. Based on the unresolved concerns in the staff report, it is not.
Please protect rural residents, agricultural land, infrastructure, and the County’s long-term future. Recommend denial of REZ #04-26.
I reside in the Back Creek District & oppose Rezoning #04-26 for Virginia Technology Park to develop Data Center uses.
I am not necessarily opposed to Data Centers in Frederick Co, but I am concerned about Hyper-scale Data Centers. I agree with Julie Bolthouse, Piedmont Environmental Council, who opposes locating a hyper-scale Data Center where housing is already established. There is not yet enough empirical evidence that the proposed Center will operate in a no-negative-impact manner.
Frederick Water has established a usage restriction of 35,000 GPD per 800,000 sq ft of data center. While this will provide some protection to water resources, roof-top air-cooled systems will be necessary to meet that requirement. Rooftop air-cooled systems significantly increase a building's electricity consumption.
Additionally, “Data Center noise impacts may extend up to 0.75-miles,” according to Community & Environmental Defense Services (CEDS). “A noise impact may be more likely if the data center is cooled with air and rooftop fans or if it is likely diesel generators frequently run as a backup power supply.” “Low-frequency noise is most likely if a data center is air-cooled with rooftop fans.”
The County Noise Ordinance doesn’t specify what decibel scale (A or C weighted) its noise limits are referencing. A-weighted decibels (dBA) miss low-frequency noise. “Low-frequency data center noise that exceeds just one of the nine octave bands … can make life miserable for area residents even though dBA and dBC limits are met.” (https://ceds.org/datacenter/)
A data center proposal should not be considered for any location until a thorough analysis of each potential impact has been conducted by an independent third party.
Once constructed, there will be no going back, leaving neighboring homeowners and residents to carry the heaviest burden imposed by that decision. Therefore, I encourage you to protect Clearbrook residents and reject the proposed Technology Park.
My husband and I live in the Gainsboro voting district and reside across the lane of the proposed data center complex.
Water is a big concern since our well will be directly across the road in our front yard. Any hazardous waste or disaster that would occur will directly affect our well. Our area is drought prone so will data center extra water use could result in our well running dry.
The electrical grid in our area was already taxed during our recent snowstorm. SVEC threatened a rolling blackout due to a weather event. The grid would be unreasonably taxed by 10 data centers on a daily basis.
Noise pollution of not over 70 decibels is unreasonable for a residential community. Our home would have no buffer on the noise or air pollution that will occur on a daily basis.
Light pollution would be detrimental to humans as well as any crops of small local gardeners.
The developers proposing this huge complex are not experienced in building data centers. A complex that they are proposing would take planning and expertise that an inexperienced developer should not be allowed to undertake in haste.
The County raised our taxes, however, the data center rate of tax is based on and old tax rate from years prior. I cannot support and oppose this proposed rezoning for a mega data center complex. It adds nothing to the quality of life that my husband and I have enjoyed for 40 years.
I oppose the approval of this development, or the development of any data centers in Frederick County. I reside in the Shawnee District of Frederick County.
I live in the Gainesboro District. I have lived in Gainesville, Manassas, and most recently, Middleburg, VA. I have lived in NoVA since 1974. My husband and I work full-time in NoVA. We chose Frederick County, VA for several reasons, to include the rural culture and landscape of the County. The economic development initiatives, zoning maps, and County government appeared to be strategically focused on the health, safety and welfare of its citizenry as demonstrated by the CURRENT Comp Plan and NELP. I oppose this rezoning as I believe the application is vague, hypothetical, and incompatible with the CURRENT Comp Plan/NELP by which it is to be evaluated. No rezoning should take place under these current conditions. Our officials should encourage thoughtful economic development that strengthens Frederick County without fundamentally changing or destroying what makes us special. There is a delicate balance between growth and opportunity, and preservation. Sustainable growth dictates that we should not be destroying nor sacrificing the very things we value as a community. There comes a moment when the conversation should become about more than opportunity alone. When our stakeholders consistently say a project does not fit the character, vision, or future they want for their community, perhaps that deserves thoughtful consideration. I would also like to comment that during a community gathering this weekend, a gentleman stated that he had been told of the potential that there is a burial site for the enslaved on the subject property. Oftentimes, this information is shared through oral history or found in cryptic documentation in County records. It must be explored as it is significant. One only needs to look east to Loudoun County, Pastor Michelle Thomas and Belmont. https://www.npr.org/2020/10/19/919106859/a-pastor-rescues-a-cemetery-for-enslaved-people-then-buries-her-son-in-it
Marc Apter, Stonewall District, Past-President IEEE-USA; Supposedly the developer has proposed a noise limitation level of 60-dBA (a-weighted decibels) for the project's western and southern property lines, which abut residential properties. But since most complaints about noise from data centers are low frequency sounds, and 60-dBA will not address the low frequency sound issue. The County should require the developer must PROVE that there are no significant tonal components, a noise penalty of 6db(A) will be applied. (This is recommended by the Industrial Noise and Vibration Centre.) The same low frequency noise issues should be applicable to the sub-station being proposed across from this property! Also, what about polluted run-off into Duncan Run? They are proposing a large office complex, that isn't part of any data center, and will generate a large amount of auto and possible truck traffic on narrow country roads, so why aren't they paying to upgrade any roads they access from the property. Will Frederick County Fire & Rescue require any unique equipment and/or training to do their jobs, and if so, is there any proffer for that?
I’m in the Redbud District and oppose the rezoning #04-26. No additional data centers should be built in Frederick County. I oppose any data centers for the following reasons;
- Water usage and contamination concerns
- Power usage and increased electricity bills for everyone
- Noise pollution
- “Emergency” diesel generators being run frequently contributing to additional noise and air pollution
- Lack of jobs provided after initial construction
- Lack of independent studies done on the effects of data centers
Please do not sell out our beautiful county to these mega corporations. There have to be better ways to bring in tax revenue without turning us into the new Loudoun / Prince William County