Supervisors Respond to Data Center Social Media Hyperbole, Tax Hike Criticism Before Facing Action on 8 Public Hearings

Near the opening of the May 19th Warren County Board of Supervisors meeting, the county’s elected officials heard a full hour of often critical Public Comments. Those “Public Concerns” ranged on a variety of topics, most prominently approved tax increases, and the recent Planning Commission meeting focused on public opposition, particularly on post-meeting social media postings, regarding Data Center applications throughout the County.

Following that, max-timed out 60 minutes of Public Concerns, the County Supervisors faced 8 Public Hearings. Here we will review those Public Hearing topics and the board’s actions on those agenda items numbered H-1 through H-8:

The supervisors faced a variety of issues leading to a variety of comments on governmental actions and citizen reactions to municipal standards. Royal Examiner Photos Roger Bianchini

1. Public Hearings
2. Secondary Six-Year Plan through the Virginia Department of Transportation – staff summary: Mike Berry, Public Works Director, with input from VDOT representative Edwin Carter.

EXPLANATION & SUMMARY:

“VDOT and the Warren County Board of Supervisors, in accordance with Section 33.2-331 of the Code of Virginia, will conduct a public hearing to receive public comment on the proposed Secondary Six-Year Plan for Fiscal Years 2027-2032 and Construction Budget in Warren County. Copies of the proposed Plan may be reviewed at the Edinburg Residency Office of the Virginia Department of Transportation, located at 14031 Old Valley Pike, Edinburg, Virginia, or at the Warren County Administrator’s Office. All projects in the Secondary Six-Year Plan eligible for federal funds will be included in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), which documents how Virginia will obligate federal transportation funds.”

VDOT’s Ed Carter, at the podium, responded to questions about development of the VDOT Secondary Roads 6-year Plan as County Public Works Director Mike Berry takes a break behind Carter.

Following just one public comment, on a motion by Richard Jamieson, seconded by Hugh Henry, the board approved the submitted 6-year Secondary Road plan.

2. CUP2026-03-01 – Church – 0 Russ Johnson Road – A request for a conditional use permit for a church. The property is located at 0 Russ Johnson Road and is identified on tax map 28R, section 2, as lot 4. The property is zoned Agricultural (A) and is located in the Fork Magisterial District. – Kelly Wahl, Interim Planning Director.

After a lengthy summary of permitting standards, it was noted that the Planning Commission “forwarded the proposed Conditional Use Permit to the Board of Supervisors with a recommendation of approval with the conditions as recommended by staff by a vote of 4-0.”

And with that recommendation and no negative public comments, as well as a large turnout of church members occupying additional seating in the rear of the meeting room in support of their church’s request on a motion by Fork District Supervisor Henry, seconded by North River District’s Richard Jamieson, the board approved the submitted Conditional Use Permitting (CUP) by a unanimous 5-0 vote.

Teresa Mejia addresses the board regarding her church’s permitting application to relocate to Russ Johnson Road in the county’s Fork District. Below, following Mejia’s and other supporting remarks, the board discussion, and approval of the church application, the strong contingent of church members were free to leave, their business concluded on a positive note.

3. CUP2026-03-02 – Short-Term Tourist Rental – 112 Woods Way – A request for a conditional use permit for a short-term tourist rental. The property is located at 112 Woods Way and is identified on tax map 11E as lot 32. The property is zoned Agricultural (A) and is located in the South River Magisterial District. – Kelly Wahl, Interim Planning Director

“PLANNING COMMISSION STATUS: The Planning Commission held a public hearing for this item on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. On a motion by Mr. Kersjes, seconded by Mr. Gordon, the Planning Commission forwarded the proposed conditional use permit to the Board of Supervisors with a recommendation of approval with the conditions as recommended by staff by a vote of 4-0.”

And with that recommendation and staff overview, on a motion by John Stanmeyerm second by Hugh Henry, the board approved the CUP by a 4-1 vote, Jamieson dissenting.

4. CUP2026-03-03 – Short-Term Tourist Rental – 375 Orchard Road – A request for a conditional use permit for a short-term tourist rental. The property is located at 375 Orchard Road and is identified on tax map 31E, section 1, block 3, as lot 3. The property is zoned Agricultural (A) and is located in the Happy Creek Magisterial District. – Kelly Wahl, Interim Planning Director

“PLANNING COMMISSION STATUS: The Planning Commission held a public hearing for this item on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. On a motion by Mr. Barnhart, seconded by Mr. Kersjes, the Planning Commission forwarded the proposed conditional use permit to the Board of Supervisors with a recommendation of approval with the conditions as recommended by staff by a vote of 4-0.”

Despite public concerns from nearby residents about potential dangers posed by short-term renters walking unknowingly into permitted hunting areas, on a motion by Tony Carter, seconded by Supervisor Henry, the board approved the permits by a 4-1 vote, with Jamieson dissenting.

5. CUP2026-03-04 – Building Service Establishment – 10358 Stonewall Jackson Hwy – A request for a conditional use permit for a building service establishment. The properties are located at 10358 Stonewall Jackson Highway, identified on tax map 28 as lot 21; 6567 Browntown Road, identified on tax map 28 as lot 122; and 6567 Browntown Road, identified on tax map 28 as lot 122A. The properties are zoned Agricultural (A) and are located in the South River Magisterial District. – Kelly Wahl, Interim Planning Director.

“PLANNING COMMISSION STATUS: The Planning Commission held a public hearing for this item on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. On a motion by Mr. Barnhart, seconded by Mr. Kersjes, the Planning Commission forwarded the proposed conditional use permit to the Board of Supervisors with a recommendation of approval with the conditions as recommended by staff by a vote of 4-0.”

The staff report noted that, “Following the public hearing and Planning Commission’s recommendations, staff consulted with VDOT and the applicants regarding the proposed use of the existing entrance off Route 340. VDOT advised that the existing entrance does not meet the required sight-distance standards and, therefore, cannot be used for the proposed use. The applicant is instead proposing construction of a commercial entrance from Hickory Hill Road, a state-maintained road. Accordingly, staff recommends removal of condition number eight (8).”

Referenced condition number 8 read: “8. A waiver to the required direct state road access and to allow for the continued use of the existing entrances to lots 28——-121, 28——-122, 28——-122A.”

And with that adjustment in the application on a motion by Hugh Henry, seconded by Supervisor Jamieson, the board approved the application by a 5-0 vote.

6. CUP2026-03-05 – Short-Term Tourist Rental – 77 Eagles Crag Road – A request for a conditional use permit for a short-term tourist rental. The property is located at 77 Eagles Crag Road and is identified on tax map 15H, section 4, as lot 8. The property is zoned Residential-One (R-1) and is located in the Shenandoah Magisterial District. – Kelly Wahl, Interim Planning Director.

“PLANNING COMMISSION STATUS: The Planning Commission held a public hearing for this item on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. On a motion by Mr. Barnhart, seconded by Mr. Gordon, the Planning Commission forwarded the proposed conditional use permit to the Board of Supervisors with a recommendation of approval with the conditions as recommended by staff by a vote of 4-0.”

And with those somewhat lengthy conditions in place, on a motion by Supervisor Stanmeyer, seconded by Mr. Henry, the board approved the permitting application by a 5-0 vote.

7. CUP2026-03-06 – Short-Term Tourist Rental – 103 Luchase Road – A request for a conditional use permit for a short-term tourist rental. The property is located at 103 Luchase Road and is identified on tax map 23A, section 4, block 9, as lot 15A. The property is zoned Residential-One (R-1) and is located in the Shenandoah Magisterial District. – Kelly Wahl, Interim Planning Director.

“PLANNING COMMISSION STATUS: The Planning Commission held a public hearing for this item on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. On a motion by Mr. Kersjes, seconded by Mr. Barnhart, the Planning Commission forwarded the proposed conditional use permit to the Board of Supervisors with a recommendation of approval with the conditions as Page 314 of 506 recommended by staff by a vote of 4-0.”

And once more with conditions in place as recommended by the County Planning Commission, this CUP application was approved by a 5-0 vote on a motion by Henry, seconded by Stanmeyer.

8. CUP2026-03-07 – Short-Term Tourist Rental – 530 Wilderness Road – A request for a conditional use permit for a short-term tourist rental. The property is located at 530 Wilderness Road and is identified on tax map 23A, section 319, as lot 72. The property is zoned Residential-One (R-1) and is located in the Shenandoah Magisterial District. – Kelly Wahl, Interim Planning Director.

The Planning Commission held a public hearing for this item on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. On a motion by Mr. Barnhart, seconded by Mr. Kersjes, the Planning Commission forwarded the proposed conditional use permit to the Board of Supervisors with a recommendation of denial by a vote of 4-0 <Page 337 of 506>.”

The staff summary noted that the 4-0 recommendation to deny was based on the lack of a Letter of Support from the nearest neighbor. The supervisor’s staff report noted that the letter had now been received in support of the permitting.

So, on a motion by Stanmeyer, seconded by Henry, the fourth consecutive Conditional Use Permitting request, third consecutive for a Short-Term Tourist Rental, was approved by a unanimous 5-0 vote.

Other Business

With the eight public hearings completed, the board approved the 10-item Consent Agenda as presented. That Consent Agenda of coming board action items included a Memorandum of Agreement with Samuels Library, as well as a Resolution “Committing funds for a school roof.”

Earlier discussion included working toward a joint meeting with the Town of Front Royal on tourism and economic development efforts, as well as the status of the search for a new county administrator. Current Interim County Administrator Dr. David Martin has been in the administrator’s seat since being appointed at the board’s February 17 meeting. As readers will recall, prior to that 2026 appointment, Martin had been serving as the Warren County Public Schools Administrator. One might wonder whether the lag in replacing Martin in his interim County position has to do with any on-the-job standards for humor he is establishing.

Watch the County video below for details on the actions, discussions, and board member observations above. Of some interest was the critique of public social media comments on County business, particularly in the wake of the referenced Planning Commission meeting in which the data center criteria were at issue, among other developmental processes.

The above-referenced Public Comments period is introduced by Chairman Cheryl Cullers at the 02:36 video mark.

Supervisor Henry’s board reports comments on what he termed “social media falsehoods” and posted comments where he couldn’t find a “truthful statement” begin at the 21:05 mark of the linked county video, hitting hard from the 24:20 through 31:34 marks.

The 6 p.m. convened meeting adjourned at 8:36 p.m. The board has no meeting scheduled for next week.

Watch the Warren County Board of Supervisors Meeting of May 19, 2026.