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Prince William County cuts by-right data center zoning by about 62%
A zoning text amendment approved by supervisors shrinks the by-right overlay district from 9,698 acres to 3,654 acres, meaning about 6,000 acres will require special use permits for new projects.
Prince William County’s Board of Supervisors approved a zoning text amendment that largely eliminates by-right data center development, a change aimed at tightening the county’s future digital infrastructure pipeline, according to Bisnow.
After a hearing lasting more than three hours, the board voted unanimously to reduce the overlay district that since 2016 allowed developers to build data centers without extra approvals. The Planning Commission report cited by Bisnow says the overlay would be cut from 9,698 acres to 3,654 acres, trimming land available for by-right development by about 62%.
As a result, developers seeking to build data centers on the approximately 6,000 newly excluded acres would need to secure a special use permit going forward. Bisnow reports that data center development in the revised overlay district will be limited to properties meeting specific criteria intended to identify sites with prior approvals or existing development rights.
The board also debated the timing of the transition. Bisnow says supervisors voted 8-0 after voting 5-3 against a separate motion to change a grace period for filing applications from 90 days to zero, and included remarks from Brentsville District Supervisor Tom Gordy and Chair at large Deshundra Jefferson ahead of the vote.