Moving Data Center Regulations and Permitting Forward a Dominant Topic of Conversation for County’s Elected Officials

The dominant items of discussion at the Warren County Board of Supervisors’ regular meeting on Tuesday, July 21st, were four items pulled from the Consent Agenda for additional discussion prior to a vote to send the matters forward for final action. And perhaps not surprisingly, much of that discussion centered on a Zoning Text Amendment for Data Centers in the Industrial (I) Zoning District, Agenda Item I-10.

The wording of the presented Planning Department Data Center proposal was this: “A request to amend Chapter 180 of the Warren County Code to amend §180-8C to add a definition for data center and other associated definitions, to amend §180-28D to add data center as a use permitted by conditional use permit in the Industrial (I) zoning district, and to enact new performance standards for data centers.”

A key part of that proposal is likely to be the enactment of “new performance standards” for Data Centers. For if it is true that Data Centers are developing technology to recycle water used in their cooling processes, in a way that will radically reduce their need to extract local community water resources, one would think the opposition to their permitting might be reduced. That would be especially true given projected high levels of Commercial/Industrial tax revenue that Data Centers are expected to generate for the communities they operate in.

There was much discussion over delaying movement toward final action until further discussion, including with Town of Front Royal officials and consultants, on how they progressed on the matter before a vote on final approval of the County Planning staff-developed wording is taken. A number of upcoming dates were explored. In fact, the initial motion to postpone a vote pending the gathering of additional information, offered by John Stanmeyer, connected remotely from a family vacation in North Carolina, and seconded by Richard Jamieson, was not voted on.

Above: the four physically present supervisors; below: John Stanmeyer, remotely connected from a family summer vacation. Royal Examiner Photos Roger Bianchini

An alternate motion by Stanmeyer, this time seconded by Hugh Henry, was to set a date of August 18 for a vote “pending further discussion” as it could be arranged. That motion passed by a 5-0 vote.

It might be noted that there were no Public Hearings on the agenda, and none of the three to four citizens present chose to speak at the Public Comments portion of the meeting. However, there was a hint that the board anticipates larger public crowds on the horizon as the Data Center issue moves forward at the County level. That clue was a discussion of the technological advantages and disadvantages of conducting predicted high-attendance board meetings in the Government Center’s main meeting room versus available Public School auditoriums. The preference appeared to be to address projected sound issues in the school facilities and to continue holding those predictable large-crowd meetings in the best-suited public school auditoriums.

It was a nearly empty WCGC meeting room, aside from County staffers and law enforcement personnel toward the rear.

Other Pulled Item Discussions

The other items pulled from the Consent Agenda for additional discussion included Item I-1, the citizen appointment of Emma Bricker to the South River seat on the Warren County Planning Commission. There was some discussion of the need to schedule interviews due to a recent application by a second person for the position. An initial motion by Vice-Chairman Tony Carter, seconded by Supervisor Jamieson, failed in a 2-2 tie, with Supervisor Stanmeyer abstaining.

Then, a motion by Supervisor Henry, seconded by Chairman Cheryl Cullers, to appoint Emma Bricker was approved by a unanimous 5-0 vote.

Item I-6, Hangar Lease Assignment Agreement on Hangar B-16 at the County’s local Front Royal Airport. Following an explanation of the lease agreement details by Public Works Director Mike Berry, on a motion by Henry, seconded by Stanmeyer, the board approved the agreement by a 5-0 vote.

Item I-15, a Purchase Order Award for “Taser Axon” equipment for the Sheriff’s Office. On a motion by Supervisor Henry, seconded by Carter, the board approved the Purchase Order for $370,450.

Interim and Deputy County Administrator Jane Meadows and County Attorney Jason Ham were present at admin staff table to answer questions on details of some agenda items. Below, Finance Director Alisa Scott provides the board with the financial perspective on one agenda item.

For additional detail on these items and the board and staff’s action on routine monthly business, see the County video recording below. During the meeting, it was noted that it was not being live-streamed due to technical problems. However, Interim County Administrator Jane Meadows noted that the meeting was being videotaped for posting on the County website on Wednesday, which was by mid-morning or late morning.

The 6 p.m. convened regular meeting was preceded by a Closed/Executive Session convened at 5:30 p.m. According to the motion into Closed, the topic of the move behind closed doors was “… for the purpose of the provision of legal advice regarding specific legal matters requiring such advice. The subject matter is a network security matter.”

Awaiting adjournment of the 5:30 p.m. convened Closed/Executive Session. That adjournment came at 5:49 p.m., giving the board 11 minutes to kill prior to the advertised open meeting start as advertised at 6 p.m.

Other Consent Agenda Items

Other business on the Consent Agenda being approved or moved forward included:

Item I-2 Citizen Appointment — Jon Martz to the Northwestern Community Services Board;

Item I-3. Contract – General Excavation, Inc. Renewal of Annual Term Contract – Alisa Scott, Finance Director, Mike Berry, Public Works Director;

Item I-4. FY27 GIS & Data Program;

Item I-5. FY27 PSAP Education Program

Item I-7. Letter of Support VDOT – Rockland Road:

ItemI-8. Authorization to Advertise – CUP2026-06-01 – Short-Term Tourist Rental – 339 River Oak Drive;

Item I-9, Authorization to advertise — VDOT Right of Way Purchase;

Item Item I-11, Approval of Additional 0.5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment’;

Item I-12, Sheriff’s Department Carryover Approval;

Item I-13, Approval of award for recruitment services – Kimberly Henry, Buyer;

Item I-14, Resolution — Pump and Haul Agreement — Natasha Nyirongo-Gaillard — 714 Bennys Beach Road.