JK Land Holdings' Greenlin Park data center project has been approved by Loudoun County's Board of Supervisors in Virginia.

After months of delays, the project has been greenlit.

Elsewhere in Virginia, Chesterfield County is evaluating two data center proposals.

Loudoun County's Board of Supervisors met on February 19 to discuss JK Land Holdings' Greenlin Park data center project, reports Loudoun Now.

Chuck Kuhn-owned JK Land Holdings is seeking to rezone 83 acres of land along Dulles Greenway for 1.4 million sq ft (130,064 sqm) of data center and utility substation use.

Dubbed Greenlin Park, the project was previously recommended for approval by the Planning Commission in July 2024, though was not supported by county staff.

The Board of Supervisors was then set to vote on the project at various points in the Autumn of 2024, though this was delayed after community members criticized the project's size, environmental impact, and cost of utilities during a September 11 public hearing.

Since then, JK Land Holdings has reduced the scope of the project. Originally proposed as a 2.1 million sq ft (195,100 sqm) of data center and utility substation space with 60ft tall buildings, the project is now 1.4 million sq ft of data center and substation space, building heights have been limited to 55 feet, and the company has agreed to restrict power demand to 300MW for five years.

During the latest meeting, county staff noted that the company had also agreed to use generators with upgraded technology, provide additional screening and noise limitations, and stormwater discharge mitigation.

The company also brought forward three "concept plans," one with two buildings, another with three buildings, and a third with four buildings. Square footage remains the same for all three plans.

Supervisor Caleb Kershner said of the project that it was one of the best data center applications you can receive. This was reiterated by County Chair Phyllis Randall, who added: “I am getting to a place where I don’t know what to do with these applications, because Mr. Kershner is not wrong. As far as data centers go, and all that we’re doing, this is one of the best applications we’ve seen. But, I also feel put in a corner sometimes.”

The application was approved with all three concept plans permitted with a 5-4 vote.

Chesterfield County EDA proposes two data center projects

Outside of Loudoun, Chesterfield's Economic Development Authority (EDA) is proposing two data center projects in the Virginia County.

The EDA held a community meeting on February 24 to discuss the developments, and hear feedback from local residents.

The first project would be near Moseley on the upper Magnolia Green west tract, and the other on part of the Watkins Centre near Westchester Commons.

As reported by 6 News, the planning commission is currently evaluating the EDA's rezoning requests for the projects, which in total encompass more than 1,300 acres.

Both sites are mostly zoned to allow data center projects, but the EDA is seeking to bring in bordering parcels. The EDA owns the majority of the Magnolia Green plot but is in the process of acquiring the Watkins Centre site.

“With the increasing reliance on digital services, data centers are a critical component of modern infrastructure. These rezoning efforts will enable us to secure a top-tier operator with a strong track record of supporting communities and practicing efficient operations globally,” said Chesterfield Economic Development Director Garrett Hart.

As reported by BizSense, the Upper Magnolia Green project would cover 970 acres, portions of which were rezoned in 2022 for a technology park. Split into two tracts - the first is 870 acres and the development would be limited to data centers and related accessory uses. Tract B would be limited to data centers, offices, labs, pharmaceutical products manufacturing and R&D facilities, and a few other principal uses.

The project would include a 150-foot limit on building heights. The EDA is also proposing to use 350 acres as "Swift Creek Preserve," a conservation area that would not be built upon.

The Watkins Centre project, meanwhile, would see 345 acres rezoned and would be similarly limited to data center usage and building heights of 150 feet.

County officials have declined to share the expected square footage of data center space, or the number of buildings.

The EDA during the Monday public meeting argued that the projects will bring jobs to the area, increase tax revenue, and bring opportunities for local businesses.

A second public meeting will be held on February 27 to discuss the proposals.

Chirisa Technology Parks and PowerHouse Data Centers purchased 104 acres in Chesterfield County in September 2024 to develop a data center, directly adjacent to Chirisa's existing facility.

Earlier this month, Tract filed to rezone 740 acres in Chesterfield County just outside of Colonial Heights. Tract was founded by former Cologix CEO Grant van Rooyen and describes itself as a company that acquires, zones, entitles, and develops ‘master-planned’ data center parks. The company aims to get sites zoned, powered, and shovel-ready for other companies to develop data centers on.