Speakers urge Supervisors to restrict data centers
While the Data Center Accountability Framework (Executive Order 22) released by Gov. Abigail Spanberger is a “step in the right direction,” McGrath said, “ it lacks protection for a county like Floyd with no zoning.”
On Oct. 27, the Floyd County Board of Supervisors heard from two speakers who asked for an official ordinance from the county regarding the establishment of data centers.
Meredith McGrath had originally planned to make her comments during a formal presentation to the Board, but due to a “game of telephone,” she was not added to the agenda, according to County Administrator Kim Chiddo. As a result, the Board allowed McGrath to read from her prepared document for four minutes, as is allowed during the public comment period, and Beverly Martinkosky finished the presentation with her allowed four minutes.
McGrath said she was at the meeting to represent “Floyd County citizens who do not want a data center in their backyard.” She noted she has a petition signed by more than 500 county residents who are “opposed to data centers.”
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While the Data Center Accountability Framework (Executive Order 22) issued by Gov. Abigail Spanberger is a “step in the right direction,” McGrath said, “ it lacks protection for a county like Floyd with no zoning.” She said Spanberger’s plan only applies to data center projects of a certain size, and the non-disclosure agreement clause only applies to state projects “and not to local government.”
“... Counties like Floyd have little ammunition to stop one,” McGrath said, unless the local government enacts a moratorium.
“The citizens of Floyd County are requesting an ordinance that places regulations on data centers so onerous that it would discourage one from Floyd County,” McGrath said. “In the event that one did manage to come, the regulations would at least provide some protections to the citizens who live near one.”
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In her presentation, McGrath included a copy of Henry County’s data center regulations, calling them “a good template to start with.” The regulations in Henry County, adopted in August, created a new zoning district (D-C) and established requirements for noise, water use, lighting, emergency response, and more. As no property is currently zoned as D-C, a public hearing would be required to consider allowing a data center in the county.
According to the minutes from the Aug. 25 meeting, Henry County Attorney George Lyle recommended the implementation of “some form of ordinance related to data centers rather than having nothing at all. An ordinance would provide more transparency and protective measures for the County should a data center ever consider coming to Henry County.” (Full minutes here.)
McGrath listed several reasons that Floyd should follow Henry County’s example and mentioned Floyd’s unique water table. “Data centers are known to be water hogs,” she said. She read from the current Floyd County Comprehensive Land Plan, which states that the county “... is very vulnerable to drought. As we have no aquifers it is therefore impossible to determine the carrying capacity of groundwater or how much development the ground water in Floyd County can support.”
McGrath also noted the increased electrical bills for residents and said, “Data centers are energy hogs… [and] some use generators, making them pollution hogs, both air and noise.”
Martinkosky continued the presentation. She said, “The low-frequency vibrating hum that can pass through all sound barriers and travel through the ground for miles, 24/7,” is the “more insidious” noise pollution. “It impacts the health of nearby residents, causing a constant annoyance, sleep deprivation, cardiovascular stress, cognitive impairment and a reduced quality of life. Increased setbacks are the only way to mitigate it.”
In addition to those mentioned, there are “many other” reasons Floyd Countians are asking for “restrictive regulations on data centers and the removal of by-right designations” for local industrial parks, Martinkosky said.
Chairman Joe Turman (Burks Fork) said that McGrath and Martinkosky are welcome to come to any of the Board’s meetings to “update” members on “any information” they find regarding data centers. “I can’t make a comment, but I’ve got my own personal feelings,” he said.
The Board then took a five-minute break before entering closed session to discuss Planning Commission personnel matters and real estate matters regarding convenience center sites.
Once out of closed session, the Board voted to approve a contract with Mid-Atlantic Truck and Equipment to purchase four compactors.
