Data Centers in Fairfax County

The issue of Data Centers has also taken center stage at the state level. Virginia is already home to more data centers than anywhere in the world, with 470 data centers across the state and another 150 projects in the pipeline. Several pieces of legislation have been introduced to reform Virginia data center development and protect ratepayers. Obviously, the proposed state-level legislation will also affect Fairfax County.

Regarding Fairfax County, the majority of the data centers in VA are located in Northern Virginia, in Ashburn, Sterling, Manassas, and Chantilly. In September 2024, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted in favor of an amendment to the County zoning ordinance to more strictly regulate data centers in the County going forward, but the ruling will not apply retroactively. The Save Bren Mar coalition is continuing to monitor the Plaza 500 development, including the permitting process. Bren Mar is in the Mason District of Fairfax County and is immediately adjacent to Franconia District. Plaza 500 is just over one mile from Franconia residents. See Timeline.

“…the increasing demand for data centers and the increased understanding of their potential impacts reveal a need to consider strengthening the County’s current regulations.” (Board of Supervisors March 16, 2024, Meeting Summary)

Since the BOS county-wide decision on data centers does not apply retroactively, the “Plaza 500” data center site-plan review will proceed through the current land-use process under which it will be built “by right”. However, the developer still must abide by the zoning rules for the industrial-zoned property that were in effect when they submitted their site plan application on February 5, 2024.

Speakers testifying at the multiple public hearings both opposed and supported the amendment to require data centers to go through a “special exception” review and approval process which would impose additional land-use restrictions.

On January 21, 2025, the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) holds an evidentiary hearing to consider whether to approve or deny Dominion’s application.

The Future of Data Centers in Fairfax County

Going forward, the County’s changes to the Zoning Ordinance regarding Data Centers in Fairfax will:

  • Limit the size of data centers and where they can be built by right (without explicit Board of Supervisors approval).
  • Require noise studies and noise mitigation to ensure compliance with the County’s existing Noise Ordinance.
  • Impose design standards to improve the aesthetics of data centers.
  • Require screening/enclosure of equipment such as HVAC units and generators.
  • Ensure appropriate distance or “setbacks” from residential neighborhoods.

Future considerations, including energy use and efficiency, will be included with ongoing work to update the Policy Plan in the County’s Comprehensive Plan. The County staff’s reports from January 9 and May 17, 2024, provide detailed analysis of data centers’ impact and recommended policy changes. Additional information and recordings of past community meetings are available on the County’s Data Centers webpage.

For more information on data centers, go to:

For additional information about the Comprehensive Plan amendment on future data centers, call the Fairfax County Zoning Administration Division at 703-324-1314 or email ordadmin@fairfaxcounty.gov. 

Timeline

January 28, 2025, the Board of Supervisors Land Use Committee meets to discuss the substations that will be required for the data center proposed for the Bren Mar neighborhood (Mason District).

January 21, 2025, the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) holds an evidentiary hearing to consider whether to approve or deny Dominion’s application to build a 5-acre electrical substation and 125 ft. tall transmission lines for a proposed data center in Bren Mar (less than one mile from the Franconia District). An evidentiary hearing is similar to a court trial with opening statements, witness testimony, and cross-examination.

January 20, 2025, the Piedmont Environmental Council met with legislators in Richmond to advocate for “smarter data center development”.

December 19, 2024, a virtual Public Hearing was held by the Virginia State Corporation Commission, which is required to approve, deny, or modify the electrical substation and transmission lines for the proposed Plaza 500 data center. The public was invited to share their concerns and recommendations.

December 5, 2024, an in-person Public Hearing was held by Virginia’s State Corporation Commission, which will approve, deny, or modify the electrical substation and transmission lines for the proposed Plaza 500 data center. The public was invited to share their concerns and recommendations.

September 10, 2024, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted in favor of an amendment to the County zoning ordinance to more strictly regulate data centers going forward, but the ruling did not apply retroactively to the Bren Mar site.

February 5, 2024, Starwood Capital Group submitted a site plan to build a 461,444 sf, 70 ft. tall data center on an currently industrial-zoned site. (Note: On January 23, 2024, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved rezoning of a 12-acre plot off Rte 50 for industrial use. The application, submitted by PDCREF 2 Chantilly LLC, a developer affiliated with the D.C.-based firm Penzance, included options for a 150,000-square-foot warehouse or a 402,000-square-foot data center, with heights between 75 and 110 feet.)

March 19, 2024, Board of Supervisors directed County planning staff to prepare a Zoning Ordinance amendment to strengthen the current provisions for data centers and authorized the scheduling of public hearings on an amendment.

May 17, Fairfax County released the Staff Report with the proposed amendments.

June 5, the Planning Commission (PC) held a Public Hearing and voted in favor of the proposed amendments but added further restrictions in line with those requested by residents.

July 16, Board of Supervisors (BOS) held a public hearing and due to the number of speakers, the BOS delayed their vote to July 30. However, due to an oversight of a 2023 Virginia Code regulatory change, a new Public Hearing and vote was held September 10, 2024.

September 10, Board of Supervisors heard public testimony and voted in favor of the amendment to regulate data centers going forward. The Bren Mar Data Center will continue to be built “by right”. The Save Bren Mar coalition is continuing to monitor the development, including the permitting process.

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