Residents urge end to by-right approvals, public hearings for hyperscale data centers

Ashley Covington, speaking from Cold Harbor, told the board she is "fighting so hard to keep Hanover Hanover" and asked supervisors not to allow hyperscale data centers to enter the community by right. She urged the board to finish its study before approving additional projects and to require public hearings and votes for such developments.

"Hyperscalers should not receive tax breaks or be able to sneak into communities as a by right," Covington said, and asked the board to end by-right zoning and require public review. She criticized the planning commission's approval of an "Iron Horse" project while the county is studying data centers and asked the board to vote no when the time comes if the study supports stricter controls.

Jane Jane Kirchner (South Anna District) similarly urged the board to "remove data centers as a permitted or by right use in any zoning district in Hanover County" and asked that the ordinance work plan prioritize protections for water, wells, air and noise and expedite those changes.

Both speakers framed their requests as safeguards for farmland, water and community character. The board did not take immediate action at the meeting; the comments were entered during Citizens' Time and the board indicated it is studying data-center policy.