Planning Commission to continue work on technology overlay district, data‑center rules

The commission spent the final portion of the meeting on an extended discussion of how to regulate emerging technology land uses — in particular data centers and larger infrastructure — and whether to pursue a statutory ordinance or a technology overlay district (TOD). Commissioners said an overlay could give the county more flexibility in siting and conditions, while an ordinance gives clearer numeric standards.

One commissioner summarized, “The TOD gives the planning commission and board more discretion,” urging staff to invite planners from Goochland and other localities to present their approach and recommend next steps. The commission voted to continue the discussion to the next meeting and requested staff gather examples and a short primer on TOD history and implementation before the next workshop.