Loudoun County, Va., home to the largest data center cluster in the world known as Data Center Alley, recently took steps to prohibit the growth of new server farms in certain parts of the county.
The county’s board of supervisors moved to remove parts of the county from the fast-track, by-right pre-approval status by which developers could build data centers without the requirement to submit plans to zoning or planning board hearings. Neighborhoods designated as suburban mixed-use, suburban neighborhood, suburban compact, or urban transit center (UTC) zones will lose fast-track status.
The updated policy also prescribes new design and environmental standards for data processing facilities. Existing data centers in the UTC zone are exempt from the new policy. Data center industry advocates said the board still must clarify whether existing facilities will be prohibited from expanding in the UTC.
The county’s action is a response to public opposition to new data center projects that have been proposed in rural areas of northern Virginia, including near some historic Civil War battlefield sites. In addition, regional utility Dominion Energy has said it won’t be able to expand its transmission capacity in Loudoun County fast enough to support deliveries of some new data center facilities.
Related Stories
Data Centers | Aug 8, 2024
Global edge data center market to cross $300 billion by 2026, says JLL
Technological megatrends, including IoT and generative AI, will require computing power to be closer to data generation and consumption, fueling growth of edge IT infrastructure, according to a new JLL report.
Construction Costs | Jul 18, 2024
Data center construction costs for 2024
Gordian’s data features more than 100 building models, including computer data centers. These localized models allow architects, engineers, and other preconstruction professionals to quickly and accurately create conceptual estimates for future builds. This table shows a five-year view of costs per square foot for one-story computer data centers.
Data Centers | Feb 28, 2024
What’s next for data center design in 2024
Nuclear power, direct-to-chip liquid cooling, and data centers as learning destinations are among the emerging design trends in the data center sector, according to Scott Hays, Sector Leader, Sustainable Design, with HED.
Data Centers | Feb 1, 2024
Gen AI will drive data center growth, says latest JLL sector report
Power access is pushing developers toward alternative sources and secondary markets.
Data Centers | Nov 22, 2023
How is artificial intelligence impacting data center design?
As AI is reshaping how we interact with machines and the world around us, the design of data centers needs to adapt to this fast-changing landscape. So, Page pairs expert thinking with high-performing solutions to meet the needs of rapidly advancing technologies.
Data Centers | Nov 13, 2023
Data center sector trends for 2023-2024
Demand for more data centers is soaring, but delivery can be stymied by supply delays, manpower shortages, and NIMBYism.
Giants 400 | Oct 2, 2023
Top 50 Data Center Construction Firms for 2023
Turner Construction, Holder Construction, HITT Contracting, DPR Construction, and Fortis Construction top BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest data center sector contractors and construction management firms for 2023, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Oct 2, 2023
Top 60 Data Center Engineering Firms for 2023
Jacobs, Burns & McDonnell, WSP, EXP, and Alfa Tech head BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest data center sector engineering and engineering/architecture (EA) firms for 2023, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Oct 2, 2023
Top 30 Data Center Architecture Firms for 2023
Corgan, HDR, Gensler, Page Southerland Page, and HED top BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest data center sector architecture and architecture/engineering (AE) firms for 2023, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.
Data Centers | Sep 21, 2023
North American data center construction rises 25% to record high in first half of 2023, driven by growth of artificial intelligence
CBRE’s latest North American Data Center Trends Report found there is 2,287.6 megawatts (MW) of data center supply currently under construction in primary markets, reaching a new all-time high with more than 70% already preleased.