Planning Commission - 2026-02-04
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Planning Commission elected new leadership (Grinnell as chair, Fragoso as vice chair) and approved a code amendment (CA26-0002) requiring data centers to obtain special use permits in I-1 and I-2 industrial districts, removing them as permitted uses. The amendment passed 5-2 with a recommendation that the Board of Supervisors consider grandfathering pending site plans, specifically addressing Crossroads Technology Park and Fredericksburg Digital projects that had already submitted compliant site plans.
Key Decisions (7)
Code Amendment CA26-0002 - Data Center SUP Requirement
Approved code amendment removing data centers as permitted use in I-1 and I-2 districts, making them special use permits instead. Development standards removed from code and established as guidelines. Commission recommended Board of Supervisors consider grandfathering pending site plans submitted before January 13, 2026 that comply with 2025 standards. Two pending site plans affected: Crossroads Technology Park (Kettler) and Fredericksburg Digital (Northeast Drive at Davenport).
Data Center Development Guidelines Document
Approved forwarding recommended development standards for data centers as a guideline document to Board of Supervisors. Standards were previously in code but converted to guidelines with mandatory language changed to advisory terms.
Election of Planning Commission Chair
Grinnell elected as Planning Commission chairperson for 2026.
Election of Planning Commission Vice Chair
Fragoso elected as Planning Commission vice chairperson for 2026.
2026 Meeting Schedule Adoption
Adopted 2026 Planning Commission meeting schedule with cancellation of July 1 meeting due to proximity to July 4th holiday.
Appointment of Commission Secretary
Paulette Mann appointed as Planning Commission secretary.
Transportation Committee Representatives
Wood appointed as primary representative and Bullock as alternate to Transportation Committee.
Development Activity (3)
Crossroads Technology Park
Approximately 600 acres, data center development. Phase one site plan submitted. Developer claims over $100 million invested, $2 million spent redesigning to comply with 2025 standards. Includes 300-foot buffer and enhanced setbacks from residential.
Fredericksburg Digital
Data center project with pending site plan
Telecommunications Tower at Fire Station 11
190-foot/95-foot monopole telecommunications tower proposed on county fire station property
Market Signals (4)
Commercial Demand
Six pending rezoning applications for data centers indicate strong demand for data center development in Spotsylvania County despite regulatory uncertainty.
Sentiment
Community members expressed concerns about data center impacts while acknowledging need to remain competitive with global development, particularly citing Saudi Arabia, China, and India as competitors.
Infrastructure
Data center applicants face uncertainty beyond local approvals as they must also obtain certification from power grid certification panel to operate.
Commercial Demand
County continues to identify data centers as a targeted industry in comprehensive planning despite implementing stricter approval requirements.