I am deeply concerned about Rezoning #04-26 and the proposed Virginia Technology Park. This project would place a massive industrial facility approximately one mile from my home and the Orchard Dale neighborhood where I have lived for over a decade, the place my children live, play, and grow.
Numerous studies and ongoing research have raised concerns about the impacts large-scale data centers can have on nearby communities. Residents living near these facilities often report concerns related to the negative effects they have on quality of life. As a parent, I am deeply concerned about placing a facility of this scale so close to where my children and others spend their childhood.
I am also concerned about the environmental impacts of this project. Data centers require significant water and energy resources, and questions remain about the long-term effects on groundwater and local water supplies. In a county that has already experiences drought-related challenges, approving a project with substantial water demands should give us pause. New research suggests that even "closed loop systems" create grey water that can leak chemical additives into the local aquifer. Families in my community rely on well water, and I believe any potential risks to local groundwater resources deserve careful scrutiny before this project moves forward.
In addition, this development threatens the rural character that makes Frederick County such a desirable place to live. Many homeowners, including my family, have invested their life savings into their properties. The introduction of a large industrial complex would negatively impact not our quality of life and health, but also our property values.
I urge the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors to prioritize the health, well-being, property rights, and quality of life of current residents over financial gain. Once this land is rezoned and developed, the impacts will be permanent. Please vote against Rezoning #04-26.
I'm a resident of the Stonewall district and i oppose the rezoning for the Virginia Technology park in Clear Brook. I currently live less then a mile away and am worried about many thing including the following, the amount of water that data center use, the noise that they produce, the emissions that they give off, and the destruction of Frederick County's farm land. Living in a home that uses a well I worry about the data center draining our water supply as well as the harmful metals that will be put into the ground when the data centers flush their systems. I currently live in Ridgeway Estates a quiet neighborhood that is being destroyed by poor decisions by our Board members. Frederick is my home and it seems that decisions are being made that are not for community but for financial gain. There are a lot of unknowns about the impacts of data centers and as soon as they are approved in our county they will be there forever.
I'm a resident in the Stonewall district. I oppose approving data centers in Frdeeick County. For all reasons already detailed including environmental concerns, higher utility rates, sound pollution affect in wildlife, water resources. Data Centers need more study and strong restrictions and requirements to address these issues before any approval to go forward. This should not be rushed. Please do your job and represent your constituents.
I want to appeal to the Commission to deny any rezoning of these properties for the express purpose of allowing the construction of any data centers. We have been in a multi-year drought here in the Valley. There aren’t sufficient water resources to maintain the current quality of life if data centers are allowed to be built. It is a known fact that data centers, while falsely claiming they only use in the vicinity of 35,000 gallos of water a day, it’s a k own fact they use in the hundred of thousands of gallons. Not to mention the flushing of the cooling system contains contaminated water with metals and other unhealthy related chemicals that would go back into the aquifers even after being filtered by the water treatment plants. Again it’s a known fact that regardless of what we are being lead to believe, the filters at the water treatment plants aren’t sufficient to filter these carcinogens from the water before its release back into the aquifers. Lastly is the noise factor. Tonal noise from these centers are terminal to animal and beneficial insect life and to the bird population. Cattle eventually won’t breed, chickens won’t lay eggs and bees won’t pollinate our flowers and vegetable. There are many more reasons to disallow this rezoning.These centers will devalue homes in the neighboring areas. And you need to consider the future when these centers become obsolete within 7-10 years. What will the county do with dozens of abandoned millions of sq foot bldgs? And the taxes the county is counting on is but a pipe dream. Data centers don’t pay taxes. They demand tax breaks. These life killing monstrosities aren’t what our beautiful county needs. Think of the history of our area and the tourism that will be lost. All for 30 pieces of silver. So please consider long and hard before you take down us down the path of destruction.
I understand the Commission determines substantial accord with the Comprehensive Plan, but unresolved issues make that determination premature.
Scale & Impact: Frederick County has one data center today. This approval brings that to eleven. No end user has been identified. The developer is making promises on behalf of a tenant that does not exist and may never be bound by them.
Wastewater: The Commission raised this concern directly with the developer. It is the applicant’s responsibility to provide a credible management plan. That has not happened.
Water Supply & Private Wells: I live within a mile of this site. Frederick County draws from the same aquifer supplying my well and my neighbors’ wells. Data centers consume enormous amounts of water. If that aquifer is depleted, the county has alternatives. We do not. Meanwhile, Frederick Water is expanding service only to future industrial sites per the Comprehensive Plan, not to the residential neighborhoods next door. If this moves forward, the developer should be required to work with Frederick Water to amend the current service area to include all residential properties within three miles and/or neighboring any future industrial zones. The county should not be prioritizing businesses over the people already here.
Noise & Property Values: Continuous industrial operations affect quality of life and property values for those of us nearby. That deserves to be part of this record. The screening is insufficient, and the county should push for substantial screening far beyond minimums.
Board Guidance & Power: The Board has issued no formal policy on data center proliferation at this scale. Given the attorney’s letter on siting options, that guidance is needed before this proceeds. The anticipated power source also faces an active injunction from the Woodside neighborhood.
Stonewall district is being obliterated with industrial growth. Help the residents. Please table this application until these issues are resolved.
I am against data centers in this county. This is primarily a rural county. The harm to health, the environment and our water shed are well documented. The data centers will not bring long term jobs to our community. Though there is a precedent for data centers in this county, we do not need more. Data Centers do not fit with the Frederick County Comprehensive Plan. Please do not support the rezoning of this property or any other property in the county for a data center. Thank you.
I reside in the Opequon District and do not want Data Centers in any parts of the county. There are too many unknowns and the known damages they cause are too high a price for us to be expected to pay for someone else to make money. Our water, air, mental well being from the noise is not worth it. And who wants to see these monstrosities around our beautiful Frederick County! Please tell the BOS a resounding No to Data Centers.
I reside in the Shawnee District.
I am opposed to the rezoning of this property due to the adverse effects this data center complex will have on the nearby residents regarding water resources and noise pollution. The quality of life of all Frederick County residents will be adversely affected and allowing this project to move forward will set the wrong precedent. PLEASE vote against rezoning this property. Thank you.
Approval of this data center complex will significantly harm the quality of life for Frederick County residents, drain County resources, and cause irreparable environmental harm. This process appears to be rushed. During the May 5 work session, the developer stumbled in their responses to questions, made bold statements, and promised to address concerns expressed by Commissioners. They were changing information as they made their presentation. Apparently, not all their reports were provided in a timely manner. All of this points to a lack of preparedness at best. This 10-unit data center complex will create unending noise, affect utility costs, affect water and wastewater, cause a 10-15% reduction in real estate values (who wants to live beside a data center?), and create mammoth structures right next to residential areas. Not only will adjoining landowners be affected; numerous homeowners live within a 3-5 mile radius of the technology park; they will experience secondary impacts. If this data center complex is approved, it will open the door to more centers coming to Frederick County. It will set the wrong standard for transition between rural and industrial areas. Frederick County needs to set a standard that will preserve rural life while attracting businesses that will balance support to the rural way of life while bringing prosperity. Please protect residential areas from data center development!
I am deeply concerned about Rezoning #04-26 and the proposed Virginia Technology Park. This project would place a massive industrial facility approximately one mile from my home and the Orchard Dale neighborhood where I have lived for over a decade, the place my children live, play, and grow.
Numerous studies and ongoing research have raised concerns about the impacts large-scale data centers can have on nearby communities. Residents living near these facilities often report concerns related to the negative effects they have on quality of life. As a parent, I am deeply concerned about placing a facility of this scale so close to where my children and others spend their childhood.
I am also concerned about the environmental impacts of this project. Data centers require significant water and energy resources, and questions remain about the long-term effects on groundwater and local water supplies. In a county that has already experiences drought-related challenges, approving a project with substantial water demands should give us pause. New research suggests that even "closed loop systems" create grey water that can leak chemical additives into the local aquifer. Families in my community rely on well water, and I believe any potential risks to local groundwater resources deserve careful scrutiny before this project moves forward.
In addition, this development threatens the rural character that makes Frederick County such a desirable place to live. Many homeowners, including my family, have invested their life savings into their properties. The introduction of a large industrial complex would negatively impact not our quality of life and health, but also our property values.
I urge the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors to prioritize the health, well-being, property rights, and quality of life of current residents over financial gain. Once this land is rezoned and developed, the impacts will be permanent. Please vote against Rezoning #04-26.
I'm a resident of the Stonewall district and i oppose the rezoning for the Virginia Technology park in Clear Brook. I currently live less then a mile away and am worried about many thing including the following, the amount of water that data center use, the noise that they produce, the emissions that they give off, and the destruction of Frederick County's farm land. Living in a home that uses a well I worry about the data center draining our water supply as well as the harmful metals that will be put into the ground when the data centers flush their systems. I currently live in Ridgeway Estates a quiet neighborhood that is being destroyed by poor decisions by our Board members. Frederick is my home and it seems that decisions are being made that are not for community but for financial gain. There are a lot of unknowns about the impacts of data centers and as soon as they are approved in our county they will be there forever.
............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
I'm a resident in the Stonewall district. I oppose approving data centers in Frdeeick County. For all reasons already detailed including environmental concerns, higher utility rates, sound pollution affect in wildlife, water resources. Data Centers need more study and strong restrictions and requirements to address these issues before any approval to go forward. This should not be rushed. Please do your job and represent your constituents.
I want to appeal to the Commission to deny any rezoning of these properties for the express purpose of allowing the construction of any data centers. We have been in a multi-year drought here in the Valley. There aren’t sufficient water resources to maintain the current quality of life if data centers are allowed to be built. It is a known fact that data centers, while falsely claiming they only use in the vicinity of 35,000 gallos of water a day, it’s a k own fact they use in the hundred of thousands of gallons. Not to mention the flushing of the cooling system contains contaminated water with metals and other unhealthy related chemicals that would go back into the aquifers even after being filtered by the water treatment plants. Again it’s a known fact that regardless of what we are being lead to believe, the filters at the water treatment plants aren’t sufficient to filter these carcinogens from the water before its release back into the aquifers. Lastly is the noise factor. Tonal noise from these centers are terminal to animal and beneficial insect life and to the bird population. Cattle eventually won’t breed, chickens won’t lay eggs and bees won’t pollinate our flowers and vegetable. There are many more reasons to disallow this rezoning.These centers will devalue homes in the neighboring areas. And you need to consider the future when these centers become obsolete within 7-10 years. What will the county do with dozens of abandoned millions of sq foot bldgs? And the taxes the county is counting on is but a pipe dream. Data centers don’t pay taxes. They demand tax breaks. These life killing monstrosities aren’t what our beautiful county needs. Think of the history of our area and the tourism that will be lost. All for 30 pieces of silver. So please consider long and hard before you take down us down the path of destruction.
I understand the Commission determines substantial accord with the Comprehensive Plan, but unresolved issues make that determination premature.
Scale & Impact: Frederick County has one data center today. This approval brings that to eleven. No end user has been identified. The developer is making promises on behalf of a tenant that does not exist and may never be bound by them.
Wastewater: The Commission raised this concern directly with the developer. It is the applicant’s responsibility to provide a credible management plan. That has not happened.
Water Supply & Private Wells: I live within a mile of this site. Frederick County draws from the same aquifer supplying my well and my neighbors’ wells. Data centers consume enormous amounts of water. If that aquifer is depleted, the county has alternatives. We do not. Meanwhile, Frederick Water is expanding service only to future industrial sites per the Comprehensive Plan, not to the residential neighborhoods next door. If this moves forward, the developer should be required to work with Frederick Water to amend the current service area to include all residential properties within three miles and/or neighboring any future industrial zones. The county should not be prioritizing businesses over the people already here.
Noise & Property Values: Continuous industrial operations affect quality of life and property values for those of us nearby. That deserves to be part of this record. The screening is insufficient, and the county should push for substantial screening far beyond minimums.
Board Guidance & Power: The Board has issued no formal policy on data center proliferation at this scale. Given the attorney’s letter on siting options, that guidance is needed before this proceeds. The anticipated power source also faces an active injunction from the Woodside neighborhood.
Stonewall district is being obliterated with industrial growth. Help the residents. Please table this application until these issues are resolved.
I am against data centers in this county. This is primarily a rural county. The harm to health, the environment and our water shed are well documented. The data centers will not bring long term jobs to our community. Though there is a precedent for data centers in this county, we do not need more. Data Centers do not fit with the Frederick County Comprehensive Plan. Please do not support the rezoning of this property or any other property in the county for a data center. Thank you.
I reside in the Opequon District and do not want Data Centers in any parts of the county. There are too many unknowns and the known damages they cause are too high a price for us to be expected to pay for someone else to make money. Our water, air, mental well being from the noise is not worth it. And who wants to see these monstrosities around our beautiful Frederick County! Please tell the BOS a resounding No to Data Centers.
Please do NOT approve data centers
I reside in the Shawnee District.
I am opposed to the rezoning of this property due to the adverse effects this data center complex will have on the nearby residents regarding water resources and noise pollution. The quality of life of all Frederick County residents will be adversely affected and allowing this project to move forward will set the wrong precedent. PLEASE vote against rezoning this property. Thank you.
Approval of this data center complex will significantly harm the quality of life for Frederick County residents, drain County resources, and cause irreparable environmental harm. This process appears to be rushed. During the May 5 work session, the developer stumbled in their responses to questions, made bold statements, and promised to address concerns expressed by Commissioners. They were changing information as they made their presentation. Apparently, not all their reports were provided in a timely manner. All of this points to a lack of preparedness at best. This 10-unit data center complex will create unending noise, affect utility costs, affect water and wastewater, cause a 10-15% reduction in real estate values (who wants to live beside a data center?), and create mammoth structures right next to residential areas. Not only will adjoining landowners be affected; numerous homeowners live within a 3-5 mile radius of the technology park; they will experience secondary impacts. If this data center complex is approved, it will open the door to more centers coming to Frederick County. It will set the wrong standard for transition between rural and industrial areas. Frederick County needs to set a standard that will preserve rural life while attracting businesses that will balance support to the rural way of life while bringing prosperity. Please protect residential areas from data center development!