Chesapeake City Council rejects massive data center

Following an outcry from hundreds of residents, Chesapeake City Council unanimously voted Tuesday night to deny a rezoning request that would have allowed the construction of Hampton Roads‘ first major data center.

Developer Doug Fuller, president of Emerald Lakes Estates, wanted to build the 350,000-square-foot data center on a 22.6-acre property in the Great Bridge area of Chesapeake, on the west side of Centerville Turnpike, south of Etheridge Manor Boulevard. However, for the project to get off the ground, he needed the land rezoned from agricultural to light industrial use.

Had the project gone forward, the center would have been 35 feet tall, employed 30 to 50 people, and been manned 24 hours a day.

But after about two-and-a-half hours of citizens speaking against the project Tuesday night, the council decided to reject Fuller’s proposal, also declining a request to delay the vote until August. Mayor Rick West was absent, and council member Daniel Whitaker recused himself from the vote, saying he had provided professional services to Fuller.

On Wednesday, Fuller said via text that he is considering alternative sites for the project.

Calling it a “disappointment,” Fuller said that Chesapeake residents “spoke loud and clear that they oppose rezoning agriculture land to industrial. They want it to remain agriculture for now, and I will research and find what is the highest and best economic use for the property with its current A1 zoning.

“It is important for Hampton Roads have a commercial size data center and my goal was to bring one to our city so it could benefit from the millions of dollars in tax revenue. Since the denial, I have had two localities reach out to me and asked to be considered for a like project. I am considering all alternate site options at this point.”

Before voting, City Council member Amanda Newins asked Deputy City Manager Brian Solis if the city had offered to swap one of its properties, which would be more appropriate for a data center, with Fuller. Price said there may be potential to swap property, but that so far Fuller has not expressed interest in exploring that.

“The reason that I am not supporting this project is because I think it’s completely incompatible with the location,” Newins said. “I think there is viable use for that property outside of what’s being proposed that is not on top of residential property in that area. I think that’s been abundantly clear from the community that’s here today, that shared with us, that that is not compatible with the community.”

In the weeks leading up to Tuesday’s vote, the proposal had drawn fierce opposition from hundreds of residents, who spoke against it through petitions, emails and public hearings.

Complaints included concerns about increased traffic, noise, light pollution, the site being too close to residential homes and schools, disruptions caused by construction, lack of sufficient public input, loss of agricultural land and green space, environmental concerns and fears that the center might cause blackouts. Many also voiced worries that the city’s first data center would open the doors to more data centers and other industrial development.

Resident Kelli Gossmann, who lives near the proposed data center site, said Tuesday night the data center would directly impact her. She added that residents in Northern Virginia, where the data center industry is booming, have repeatedly complained about data centers causing a myriad issues.

“For me, this means my favorite view of the sunrise will be permanently blocked by a massive industrial building,” Gossmann said of the proposal. “Words cannot express my personal shock and dismay.”

Navy veteran Jennifer Anderson, who lives in a neighborhood near the site, said she chose her home for its beauty, the sound of birds chirping and the ability to look at the stars at night. However, she said she believed if the data center were approved, more would come, “and all of these things we love about our new home will either be reduced greatly or removed entirely.”

“Can you promise the light pollution from this one and the imminent building of more won’t drown out the stars,” she asked the council. “Can you promise the constant humming won’t make it unbearable to enjoy the park across the street or even our own front and backyard? Can you promise my children won’t develop health issues?”

The planning commission last month voted 6-1 to recommend denial of the rezoning, with several saying they wanted more time to study the long-term impact of the data center on the city.

Tuesday’s denial from the council drew loud applause and a standing ovation from many members of the audience.

“The people do not want it there,” said Councilor Patricia “Pat” King, when justifying her vote. “It is your community, and we are your voice, and you have requested that we not allow it. So I stand by you and your request.”