Resident criticizes commission's prior hyperscaler approval, urges focus on local water and roads

During citizens time, Ashley Covington of Cold Harbor addressed the Planning Commission about a recent hyperscaler approval and the county's approach to large data‑center projects. Covington said five commissioners voted to approve IronHorse despite a board‑level study intended to run 12–18 months: "You put a global AI race above Hanover County," she said, urging commissioners to prioritize water, roads and schools over attracting hyperscalers.

Covington cited statements from industry leaders calling for a slowdown in AI capability development and warned that if demand for hyperscalers falls, the county could be left with "empty shells — hundreds of acres of concrete and [depleted] aquifers." She urged commissioners to defer votes until the Board of Supervisors' study is complete and said residents expect officials to protect local natural resources and long‑term interests.

Her comments were delivered during the public comment portion prior to the hearing on the Hanover Associates rezoning; commissioners did not take immediate action on the point during that agenda item. The remark has been included in the public record for the Board of Supervisors to consider as it evaluates data‑center policy, study outcomes and future zoning requests.