PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. — Several Prince William county residents spent the night on the floor, waiting for the county planning commission to make its recommendation on 3 applications to develop a large data center complex in the count
The meeting started on Wednesday at 2 p.m. Finally wrapping up on Thursday, at around noon. Over 200 people expressed their concern and support for the project.
"We came with snacks, coffee, there was an air mattress. I came with my daughter's smush pillow" Elena Schlossberg, with the Coalition to Protect Prince William County, said.
The planning commission voted to recommend denial. There is, however, still a chance for approval. If approved, the project would span 23 million square feet, the largest data center development in the world.
Elena Schlossberg with the Coalition to Protect PW Co. spent 12 hours in the county building speaking up against the proposal.
"The coalition supported deferral. We are saying no. Data centers take up too much power, too much water and too much land. It’s in the wrong area. That is why you have so much outpouring throughout the county.” Schlossberg, said.
Compass Data Centers, one of the rezoning applicants, said it's disappointed there was no approval. They provided a statement:
"Compass Datacenters presented its rezoning application for data center development, guided by the vision Prince William County laid out in its Digital Gateway plan adopted last year, to the Planning Commission. While Compass is disappointed the Planning Commission did not recommend approval, we thank the Commissioners for their consideration and the hundreds of Prince William County residents who spoke in support of our application for their thoughtful comments. Next, we look forward to presenting our application at December’s Board of Supervisors hearing."
The recommendation will now head to The Prince William County Board of Supervisors to consider during its meeting on December 12th. That's the current board of supervisors. The supervisors who were elected this past Tuesday, will not be in place for that meeting- which some expect to be even twice as long.