Warren County Residents Speak Against Data Centers at County Planning Commission Meeting

On July 8, the Warren County High School became the scene of impassioned public input against data centers. Chosen for its capacity to seat a crowd surpassing what the Warren County Government Center can accommodate, the school’s auditorium was the perfect environment for the County Planning Commission to listen to residents who largely view data centers as an existential threat to Warren County. With only one person out of 109 speaking in favor of the text amendment that would define data centers and allow them as a use with restrictive ordinance, thus paving the way for Rushmark’s data center proposal on Rockland Road, the commission listened for five hours as speaker after speaker reiterated the rationale that has characterized public opinion at Town and County meetings, featuring data centers, for nearly a year.

The County Planning Commission held its monthly regular meeting on July 8 at Warren County High School, with capacity for a crowd eager to speak against data centers. Royal Examiner Photo Credits: Brenden McHugh

A well-attended room at Warren County High School hosted 130 to 150 residents concerned about data centers, of whom 109 spoke that night.

Shortly before midnight, after the hearing tapered to a close, Vice-Chairman William Gordon thanked the audience for their participation and gave a succinct rationale for his opposition to the text amendment. The other commissioners followed him in unanimously voting to recommend denial to the Board of Supervisors. While Gordon is not ruling out the possibility that a future restrictive ordinance could sufficiently cover the many concerns related to a data center, he is convinced that the one before them that evening is not adequate. It is tailored to a specific location. It sets a precedent for the entire county based on how a data center would work in one spot. What is needed, Gordon implied, is a more comprehensive strategy. That strategic effort is well underway, with the extensive research the commissioners have already conducted, the pursuit of expert opinion, and learning from other localities.

Applicant Dan Doty spoke in favor of the text amendment to define and allow data centers as a use by restrictive ordinance.

Inaugurating five hours of public input, Tom McFadden Jr. was the first to speak in favor of protecting Warren County from data centers.

Perhaps what the commissioners have bought is valuable time. Their recommendation will be presented to the board and will be received with gravity. If the board chooses to uphold the recommendation, an interval will elapse during which the computing industry can evolve a more efficient way to do what it has been known to do ineptly. It is common knowledge that its technology is new and will likely be obsolete within 5 to 10 years. Can Warren County afford to wait that long for whatever product a data center would deliver in addition to the 2.4 million in tax revenue that the applicant highlighted as a reason the amendment should be adopted? Could that be the time when the community and its government can define “data center” and “technology business” more stringently? The Front Royal Planning Commission has been tasked by the Town Council to do so, and the realization of that task, at least for the Town, looks feasible.

Watch the Warren County Planning Commission Meeting of July 8, 2026.