Loudoun County in Virginia has removed by-right data centers from its Zoning Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan.

As reported by LoudounNow, the board of supervisors approved amendments to the plan last week.

The decision means that all data center proposals in the county will require the board's discretionary approval, rather than being allowed by default under planning regulations.

Discussions to remove by-right use for data centers have been ongoing, with county lawmakers previously voting in favor of a language change for some areas of Loudoun County in the Zoning Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan last July.

Data center developers can still apply for projects in Loudoun County, but while previously some locations required only staff-level review provided projects met requirements, now all projects must be reviewed by staff, sent to the county planning commission for a public hearing and recommendation, and then sent to the Board of Supervisors for a final decision.

The board held a public hearing on February 12 to discuss the removal of by-right data centers.

All applications submitted before that date will be grandfathered and evaluated under the regulations in place at the time, provided they are more than 500 feet away from residential units and are still "diligently pursued" during a review.

The vote to remove the by-right zoning passed 7-2, with supervisors Kristen Umstattd and Caleb Kershner opposed. Umstattd and Kershner similarly voted against changes during the July 2024 meeting.

A vote to grandfather existing applications passed 5-4.

Loudoun County still has 22 data center applications in review. According to a staff report, the county has 46 million sq ft (4.27 million sqm) of data centers being constructed or with a building permit, and 61.5 million sq ft (5.71 million sqm) of potential development.

Sentiment about data center development in Loudoun County has long been mixed, with the likes of the Piedmont Environmental Council frequently voicing concern.

Loudoun Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Tony Howard wrote in a March 7 letter to the board of supervisors in favor of data center development.

He wrote: “I recall the county’s early and aggressive efforts to court the data center industry and solicit their investments in Loudoun. These efforts, and the results they generated, are a master class in economic development.”

Howard said the chamber supports the grandfathering of existing applications but disputed the 500-foot setback requirement, noting the previous requirement was 200 feet.

Others have disagreed with the grandfathering, with residents arguing that data centers have incurred a significant cost for residents due to the investment needed in transmission lines and other infrastructure.