Henrico residents press board to push Goochland on data center plans near Route 288

Several residents from areas adjacent to Route 288 urged Henrico supervisors to engage with Goochland officials and regional partners about proposed data center campuses that could sit within a few hundred yards of Henrico neighborhoods and elementary schools.

Meredith Kozera said the developments "sit shockingly close" to housing and asked the county to provide transparency on water and wastewater capacity. Jess Harrison outlined seven specific concerns — stormwater/flooding, public utilities and firm boundaries for water/sewer use, acoustic limits (proposed daytime 40 dBA / nighttime 30 dBA), continuous air monitoring for backup generators, light pollution controls, visual screening and increased setbacks — and asked the board to open dialogue with Goochland to secure cross-border protections. Supervisor Rountree noted Henrico established a moratorium on data centers in 2024 and said the county is engaged regionally (PlanRVA) and has participated in Goochland and Hanover discussions.

Residents requested that Henrico staff study stormwater impacts to Tuckahoe Creek and ask neighboring localities to include protections in their approvals. Board members encouraged residents to attend neighboring localities' meetings and to coordinate with Goochland and regional groups on mitigation measures.