LETTERS: Reader expresses opposition to proposed Sandston data center development

Dear Editor:

When I first wrote county leaders in late January regarding the possible rezoning of 622 acres for presumably a massive data center complex, it was the first time in 40 years as a resident of Henrico that I have questioned Henrico’s leadership.

I never had an issue with Facebook/Meta being in the area and didn’t know about QTS until recently. When I learned these two hyperscale data centers were  expanding and the county was considering the Hourigan proposal, alarm bells started to go off, mainly because of the massive acreage (yes size matters) and also because of the obvious location that straddles the main Williamsburg corridor cutting off further development that would allow for enhancement and amenities for the existing Sandston/Elko communities.

I drilled down on research and many more issues arose. Having written the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors several more times about the issues with very little specific response, it became clear to me as I watched the Planning Commission public hearing that the leadership has an agenda, presumably to push this through despite much citizen opposition.

It doesn’t seem to matter that it is highly inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan. I wonder why Henrico even bothers to have the HenricoNext program. It doesn’t matter if the approximately  404 acres of buildable area will require huge megawatts that PJM may not be able to supply and costs may be passed on to the residents. It doesn’t matter that more fossil fuels or nuclear generated power plants may need to be built in order to supply this project in conjunction with all the many data center applications in so many counties to the north that are pending.

It doesn’t matter that by approving this rezoning, it opens the door for any other designated M-1 available land to have more data centers approved “by right,” which could lead to an untenable proliferation, especially in the Varina District. This is especially disconcerting to me.

For the chairman of the Board of Supervisors to say that we only have 16 data centers in Henrico and that he doesn’t think we have too many data centers, is not exactly being honest about the situation. Size matters. The buildable areas, in addition to the expansion of the current hyperscale data centers, need to be calculated in total square feet to determine at least the electricity consumption. Loudoun County maxed out at 33.2 million square feet with 8 million more under construction. Do the math. If this proposal gets pushed through, we would be approaching two-thirds of the square feet of existing data centers in Loudoun County without even adding in the smaller square footage of 14 other data centers scattered throughout Henrico County.

The Planning Commission public hearing seemed very much like a forum for some in leadership to downplay the issues. The valid public opposition seemed to get in the way of their agenda of catering to this applicant. Also, to tell the public that this will bring good paying jobs is quite misleading. A little research and eyewitness reports tell a different story. The few jobs and most construction jobs are recruited from outside the community.

And has the county done an adequate study on the potential noise issue that might ensue from a massive data center complex so close to a population? How far will a cacophony of generators or constant low hum air coolers travel? Is it really honest to tell residents that noise will not be an issue?

Yes, arguably more data centers will bring the county increased revenue, but is that applied, or rather, how can it be applied to the adjacent communities that will pay a heavy price in the future by cutting off a valuable corridor? How much more property can the county come into town and buy up? How does this rezoning help the socioeconomic status of the current residents? At least in the Fairfield District, Green City and the Amazon robotics distribution center likely will bring many, many jobs to their residents. Plus both were/will be built on already denuded land.

We care about our future and our surroundings. It matters to us. And we don’t want it to look like a seascape of data centers. AI and big money should never take precedence over the well being of Henrico County residents. Remember the county’s motto: Henrico is the Live, Work and Play community. We don’t appreciate our landscape being turned into an autobahn of data centers

Sincerely,
Sharon Klein, Sandston

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