From the January 20th and 27th community meetings

 By: Ashley Studholme

The Planning Office hosted a series of community meetings for the public to comment on the Data Center Opportunity Zone and the PW Gateway proposal. The in-person meeting on the 20th will be rescheduled after being canceled due to forecasted inclement weather. While the recordings are available for viewing, it is uncertain how these comments will be used or addressed throughout these processes.

Watch the Data Center Overlay meeting HERE

Watch the PW Gateway meeting in-person HERE and virtual HERE.

Data Center Overlay

Data centers placed in the right location is fundamental to incorporating them into a sustainable development plan. The intent of the Data Center Opportunity Zone is to identify sites that are appropriate. Several people commented on the need for guidelines that encourage redevelopment, protect environmental and cultural assets, as well as the Occoquan Reservoir.

Nearly 40 people shared their views, with approximately 30 speaking in support of protecting the Rural Crescent, the Occoquan Reservoir watershed, and Manassas National Battlefield Park. Many people said they were not against data centers, however, they are against the proposed development sites. Site selection is the foundation of sustainable development.

Read more from InsideNOVA and Prince William Times.

PW Gateway

Due to the number of people wanting to comment, the Planning Office divided the event into parts; the in-person held on January 27th and the virtual segment held on February 3. Speakers registered for the virtual event were informed of the change on the day of the in-person event.

Present at the in-person segment of the meeting was QTS Realty Trust Inc., a data center development company supporting the PW Gateway proposal. Given their commitment to sustainability, we're wondering why they would be interested in building on land that would disturb a national park and headwaters to the Occoquan Reservoir. Especially since land is available to meet their needs in the current Data Center Overlay.

According to InsideNOVA "The virtual listening session drew 36 speakers, with 29 opposed to the project and seven in favor. Combined with last week’s session, 109 people spoke in total, with 70 opposed and 39 in favor." Read additional coverage from InsideNOVA here and PW time here.

Our comments focused on protecting the Occoquan Reservoir. "This proposal goes against our commitment to protecting our water supply and ensuring that future generations within the region have safe and plentiful drinking water," Read our comments here.