Spotsylvania County Zoning Decisions: May 2026

In May 2026, Spotsylvania County held 4 public meetings covering zoning matters. 8 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 3 approved (75% approval rate), 1 denied, 4 deferred. Activity was flat compared to April (378 activity items across 5 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

2232 comprehensive plan review for Gateway Commerce Center substation

Denied.

A 2232 (Code of Virginia 15.2-2232) location, character, and extent review for a proposed electrical substation on ~25 acres of the Gateway Commerce Center data center campus, along Route 1 near future Thornburg D Road. Staff recommended approval finding it substantially in accord with the comprehensive plan. An initial motion to approve (Wood/Prickett, adopting staff findings) failed (Frigoso, Phelps, Bell no). A motion to continue to a full-board meeting failed. A motion by Frigoso to deny (finding it inconsistent with location, character, and extent, and intrusive to surrounding residential area) carried (Prickett and Grenell no). Applicant represented by Charlie Payne; substation to be built in consult with Rappahannock Electric Cooperative.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Voter satellite office relocation (Ordinance 7-18, Code Section 7-89)

Approved.

Public hearing and approval of amendments to County Code Section 7-89 (Ordinance 7-18) to establish a new voter satellite office location at 4810 South Point Parkway and remove the former location at 10300 Spotsylvania Avenue. New location across from Cracker Barrel with permanent early voting space; county has a 10-year lease.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Special Use Permit for abattoir and wastewater lagoon at 12515 Orange Plank Road

Approved.

SUP25-0007 for an abattoir (slaughter facility processing sheep, goats, poultry, and cattle, ~80 head/week, up to 6 head cattle/day) with an anaerobic waste lagoon. Public hearing was held 04/01/2026 and continued to 05/20/2026. Approved with staff-recommended conditions as presented (including DEQ best-practice conditions), without the applicant's suggested wording changes. Applicant Andrew Moomall; lagoon engineer Kevin Davidson of AgriWaste Technology.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Rezoning of ~203 acres from A-2/A-3 to I-1 for Gateway Commerce Center data center campus

Deferred.

Public hearing on R230002 to rezone approximately 203 acres from A-2 and A-3 to I-1 with proffers for a data center campus (max ~2,666,640 sq ft, buildings 1-3 stories, max 75 ft, phased with substation yard and 1M sq ft in phase one). An earlier iteration was recommended for denial in October 2024 due to traffic concerns; revised to data-center-only, reducing trips from ~4,500 to ~1,500/day. A motion to approve with proffers and applicant's revisions failed (Frigoso, Phelps, Bell no). The Commission then voted to defer to the judgment of the Board of Supervisors with no recommendation. Applicant represented by Charlie Payne; power via Rappahannock Electric Cooperative; ~$38M/year projected tax revenue at full build-out.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Deferral of Gateway Commerce (Commerce Gateway) to Planning Commission

Deferred.

The Board sent the Gateway Commerce / Commerce Gateway industrial project (case R23-002) back to the Planning Commission for another public hearing because the project has changed significantly since it went through the Planning Commission in November 2024. Deferral requested by the applicant. The project will return to the Board after the Planning Commission hearing. Vote 6 yes (Mr. Lange absent).

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Gateway Commerce rezoning to return for new public hearing

Deferred.

Gateway Commerce rezoning, originally heard by Planning Commission in Sep/Oct with a warehouse distribution facility and proffers allowing various industrial uses including data center. Staff recommended denial over truck traffic and transportation safety concerns and unmitigated industrial impacts; Planning Commission recommended denial. Applicant revised proffers to develop ONLY as a data center. Applicant requested a deferral of the Board's May 12th hearing and is seeking a new Planning Commission public hearing, potentially May 20th.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Transient occupancy tax increase from 9% to 11% (Ordinance 21-103)

Approved.

Public hearing and approval of an increase in the transient occupancy tax rate from 9% to 11%, amending County Code Section 21-177 via adoption of Ordinance 21-103. Applies to lodging stays under 30 days (hotels, motels, campgrounds, short-term rentals). 3% dedicated to tourism, remaining 6% increased to 8% for general county operations. Projected to generate ~$2 million in new annual revenue. Passed with Supervisor Guzman voting no.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Spotsylvania Meadows Special Use Permit continuance

Deferred.

Planning Commission previously continued the vote on the Spotsylvania Meadows Special Use Permit to the May 20th meeting; staff reported positive forward progress obtaining additional information from DEQ. No vote taken this meeting.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Zoning Changes

• A-2 → I-1, 203 acres at West of Route 1, South of Hickory Ridge Road, North of Northpointe subdivision, Berkeley District

Top Keywords This Month

• comprehensive plan: 58 instances
• industrial: 45 instances
• residential: 34 instances
• rezoning: 29 instances
• land use: 27 instances

What to Watch

• Industrial mentions were up 67% from April.
• Rezoning came up 93% more often than April.

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