Data center developers are eyeing a potential location in Fairfax County
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (7News) — It’s not just residents in Loudoun, Prince William, Culpeper, Stafford, and Spotsylvania Counties in Virginia who are at risk of seeing a data center move in next to their homes. Developers are now looking at ways to squeeze data centers into Washington, D.C.’s highly populated suburban communities in Fairfax County.
Homeowners were surprised to learn that a developer not only wants to build a data center next to their homes in Fairfax County on Edsall Road, but also an electrical substation to power it. The location is on the border of Fairfax County and the City of Alexandria.
When Mary Bowen moved into her Fairfax County neighborhood in 2021, she didn’t sign up to see a data center and substation from her back deck. The data center and substation would also face her primary bedroom.
“The noise could be hugely impactful if we're trying to sleep at night, right?” said Bowen. “So the concept behind a data center having those backup generators and the constant humming we've been told that could be in place, it's definitely a huge concern.”
Bowen is a realtor and said that home values are already being impacted.
Her neighbors have reported that they have lost multiple bids when buyers learn a data center and substation could be next door, forcing them to lower their asking price, in some cases, by more than $100,000.
Although state regulators approved the substation, it still has to get approval from the land use committee and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
Homeowners in the surrounding neighborhoods tell 7News they want Fairfax County to reject the substation --- with hopes of killing the data center project.
“It's too close to the property lines of the homes here,” said Richard Newman. “It's only a 200-foot setback. That's not what we got from the planning commission, but the board of supervisors decided to grandfather them in against our wishes, and I think the planning commission's better judgment."
Newman added that the area is known to flood, which is not ideal for substations.
On Tuesday, July 28, there is a meeting happening at 7:30 p.m. at the Mason Governmental Center in Fairfax County. That’s where Dominion Energy will be giving a presentation to the community about the proposed substation.
“Dominion Energy has received a request to provide electric service for the proposed Plaza 500 development,” a Dominion Energy spokesperson told 7News. “As with any request for new electric service, we evaluate what infrastructure may be needed to continue providing safe and reliable electric service.”
“Starwood Digital Ventures has made a substantial, long-term investment in Fairfax County because we believe in this community's future," a spokesperson for Starwood Digital Ventures, the site's developer, wrote in a statement. "The substation, which has received state approval, is designed to strengthen power reliability for essential services, small businesses, and residents throughout the community. We remain committed to staying engaged with Fairfax County and its residents as this process continues.”
7News also received a statement from Fairfax County Supervisor Andres Jimenez:
“I appreciate everyone who has taken the time to engage in this process and share their perspectives. As this substation application continues through the review process, it’s important that all stakeholders have an opportunity to be heard and that staff carefully evaluate the proposal in accordance with our adopted ordinance and applicable regulations."