Board of Supervisors - 2026-02-03
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Stafford County Board of Supervisors meeting on February 3, 2026 addressed multiple development-related time extensions, with the board approving extensions for nine zoning and conditional use permit applications including Stafford 1 Industrial (potential data center/warehouse), GDC corporate office, and Westlake by a 6-1 vote. The board also authorized advertisement of a public hearing for new reclaimed water ordinances to regulate data center water usage, and approved six grant applications totaling up to $300,000 for dam regulatory compliance projects at Quiet Creek, Potomac Creek 1, and Lake Mooney.
Key Decisions (10)
Time Extensions for Nine Development Projects
Board approved time limit extensions for nine zoning reclassifications and conditional use permit applications: Stafford 1 Industrial (A-1 to M-2 rezoning for warehouse/potential data center), GDC corporate office, Westlake WF Proffer Amendment, Enon Road Tech Park, Checkers Warrenton Road, Celebrate Virginia Town Center Proffer Amendment, Silver Brook Kennels, Potomac Church Tech Center Proffer Amendment, and Stafford Freestanding ER. A substitute motion to deny extensions for projects where applicant time exceeded county review time failed 6-1.
Reclaimed Water Ordinance Public Hearing Authorization
Board authorized advertisement of public hearing and referral to Utilities Commission for proposed amendments to Stafford County Code Chapter 25 to regulate reclaimed water use. Ordinance includes potable water ban for evaporative cooling (primary data center cooling method), enforcement capabilities including right of entry for inspections, and significant industrial user designation for reclaim users.
DCR Grant Applications for Dam Compliance Projects
Board approved six resolutions (R26-53 through R26-58) authorizing applications for Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation grant and loan programs for regulatory compliance projects at three county-owned dams: Quiet Creek, Potomac Creek 1, and Lake Mooney. Each application seeks up to $50,000.
Joint Schools Working Committee Charter Update
Board approved updates to Joint Schools Working Committee charter changing agenda item notice requirement from one week to 45 days advance notice to allow staff adequate research time for meaningful presentations.
Insurance Recovery Appropriation to Fire and Rescue
Board approved budget and appropriation of insurance recovery claim proceeds in the general fund to the Department of Fire and Rescue per Resolution R26-60.
VDOT Repayment for Belmont Ferry Farm Trail Phase 6
Board approved appropriation of transportation funds to repay VDOT for costs associated with the cancelled Belmont Ferry Farm Trail Phase 6 transportation project per Resolution R26-12. Project was cancelled due to exceeding funding; repayment approximately $130,000.
VDOT Repayment for Enville Road Sidewalk Project
Board approved appropriation to repay VDOT for costs associated with cancelled Enville Road sidewalk project per Resolution R26-13. Project cancelled in favor of larger Anvil Road roadway improvements.
Smart Scale Round 7 Project Endorsements
Board endorsed seven transportation projects for Smart Scale Round 7 funding submission to VDOT and authorized county administrator to submit pre-applications per Resolution R26-65.
Transportation Impact Fee Advisory Committee Extension
Board extended deadline for recommendation from Transportation Impact Fee Advisory Committee and staff report regarding continued evaluation of county's TIF program per Resolution R26-66. Extension to May 15, 2026.
Thalmer Inc. Real Estate Brokerage Contract
Board authorized county administrator to execute five-year contract with Thalmer Inc. for real estate brokerage services per Resolution R26-19. Contract primarily for utilities department headquarters acquisition but available for all county departments including fire station locations.
Zoning Changes (1)
Stafford County (specific address not provided in transcript)
Not specified (Stafford 1 Industrial project)
Development Activity (10)
Stafford 1 Industrial
Rezoning from A-1 to M-2; plans show warehouse with potential for data center use per proffers
GDC Corporate Office
Corporate office development; received revisions from applicant on January 31, 2026
Westlake WF Proffer Amendment
Proffer amendment application
Enon Road Tech Park
Tech park development
Checkers Warrenton Road
Commercial development; public hearing date scheduled
Celebrate Virginia Town Center Proffer Amendment
Proffer amendment; previously pulled from planning commission
Silver Brook Kennels
Kennel facility conditional use permit
Potomac Church Tech Center Proffer Amendment
Tech center proffer amendment
Stafford Freestanding ER and Imaging Center
Freestanding emergency room and imaging center
Stafford Technology Campus (STC)
Data center campus; county analysis found STC parcels do not appear within surface drainage area of nearby pond; subsurface contribution would be small fraction of pond water balance
Market Signals (6)
Commercial Demand
Data center development driving new regulatory framework for reclaimed water, with county becoming first Virginia municipality to incorporate specific reclaim ordinance.
Infrastructure
County implementing potable water ban for evaporative cooling to protect water supply, requiring data centers to use reclaimed water for primary cooling functions.
Housing Demand
Fredericksburg Regional Transit ridership increasing with route improvements; majority of riders are lower income residents earning less than $40,000 using transit for work commutes.
Sentiment
Significant community concern expressed about potential ICE detention facility, with multiple residents requesting board opposition to any such facility in Stafford County.
Infrastructure
County analysis of pond near Stafford Technology Campus found below-average rainfall over extended period is primary driver of low water levels, not construction activity.
Commercial Demand
Smart Scale Round 7 transportation projects being prepared with new scoring methodology; county developing mock scores to assess project competitiveness for state funding.