Board of Supervisors - 2026-02-24
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors approved a code amendment (CA26-2) requiring data centers to obtain special use permits in I-1 and I-2 industrial zones, removing by-right development. The board rejected a planning commission recommendation to grandfather pending site plans. Patriot Crossing rezoning (R24-003) was approved 4-3 for 178 homes and 108,000 sq ft of commercial on 65 acres at Route 1 and Guinea Station Road in Berkeley District. The FY27 budget tax rate was advertised at 77.66 cents per $100, approximately 4 cents above current rates.
Key Decisions (10)
Data Center Special Use Permit Requirement (CA26-2)
Removed data centers as by-right use in I-1 and I-2 industrial zones, now requiring special use permits. Development standards moved to guidance document with softer language (shall to should). Planning commission's recommended grandfathering of pending site plans was rejected.
Planning Commission Alternative Ordinance with Grandfathering
Substitute motion to approve planning commission's recommended version that would grandfather pending site plans including Kettler's Crossroads project was denied.
Data Center Development Guidelines Document
Approved moving previous development standards to guidelines document with language changed from must/shall to should, to be attached to data center inquiries.
Patriot Crossing Rezoning (R24-003)
Rezoned 65 acres from Rural to PDH-4 and C-3 for 101 single-family detached homes, 77 townhomes, and up to 108,000 sq ft commercial. Located at Route 1 and Guinea Station Road in Berkeley District. Developer RSSJ Associates and Patriot Crossing LLC. Total cash proffers of $1,325,000.
Motor Vehicle Parking Violation Fine Increase
Amended county code section 12-123 to increase fines for commercial vehicle parking violations on public roads from $10 minimum to $100-$250 range to deter tractor trailers blocking right-of-way on Lafayette Boulevard.
Condemnation for Levels Road Waterline Easement
Approved condemnation of 1,590 sq ft easement on tax map 35-A-151 (Breezewood PUD common area) for 24-inch waterline construction. Property has defunct HOA with no identifiable owner. County offered $500 de minimis compensation.
U-Haul 75-Foot Sign Special Use Permit (SUP22-0001)
Denied special use permit for 75-foot tall double-sided LED sign at U-Haul facility on Southpointe Center Boulevard. Staff and planning commission (3-1) recommended denial. By-right options allow up to 51 feet with roof-mounted signage.
FY27 Advertised Tax Rate
Set advertised real estate tax rate at 77.66 cents per $100 assessed value, approximately 4 cents above current rate and 8.8 cents above equalized rate. Median homeowner impact estimated at $352/year or $29/month.
Letter Opposing SB443 Battery Storage Siting
Approved sending letter to Governor Spanberger opposing Senate Bill 443 which would allow by-right siting of battery energy storage projects at solar facilities with associated tax incentives.
RACSB Crisis Receiving Center Grant Support Letter
Approved drafting letter of support for Rappahannock Area Community Services Board's grant application for crisis receiving center at former Goodwill/Gallahan's Furniture building.
Zoning Changes (2)
Route 1 at Guinea Station Road, Berkeley District (two parcels totaling 65 acres)
RSSJ Associates and Patriot Crossing LLC
I-1 and I-2 Industrial Districts countywide
Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors (CA26-2)
Development Activity (4)
Patriot Crossing
65 acres rezoned for 101 single-family detached homes (6,300-12,000 sq ft lots), 77 townhomes, and up to 108,000 sq ft commercial. 3.7 units/acre density. 30% open space. $1,325,000 total cash proffers including $5,000/unit for schools.
Crossroads Data Center (Kettler)
650-acre data center campus. Developer has invested over $100 million, received water allocation for closed-loop cooling. Proposed 1,200 ft setback from Lee's Hill, 1,000 ft from Lee's Crossing. Now requires SUP approval.
Nye Village
Previously approved in 2011, includes multifamily component. May begin development soon. Would connect to Guinea Station Road extended.
RACSB Crisis Receiving Center
Crisis receiving center facility. Requires sheriff's department substation nearby, prompting voting location changes from Capital One Building.
Market Signals (6)
Commercial Demand
Data center industry continues strong interest in Spotsylvania County with multiple projects in queue, though new SUP requirement may slow development timeline by approximately 3 months per project.
Housing Demand
Mixed-use development at Route 1 corridor approved with 178 residential units targeting first-time homebuyers (townhomes) and move-up buyers (single-family), indicating demand for starter and mid-range housing.
Infrastructure
Dominion Energy reports top 8 all-time peak electricity demands occurred in 2026, with 20% annual data center load growth since 2016, driving need for 33 gigawatts of new generation by 2045.
Sentiment
Board expressed concern about balancing economic development from data centers against residential impacts, with multiple speakers requesting SUP process to ensure community input on industrial projects near neighborhoods.
Infrastructure
County managing 85 transportation projects totaling $680 million, with shift toward county-administered smaller projects while VDOT handles larger ones, targeting 80/20 split.
Commercial Demand
Route 1 corridor identified as gateway needing investment, with commercial development expected to follow residential rooftop concentration from Patriot Crossing and Nye Village projects.