Hanover Rejects 430-Acre Data Center Plan

The Hanover County Board of Supervisors voted 4-3 on May 27, 2026, to deny rezoning and conditional‑use permit requests for a proposed 430‑acre data center campus called the Mountain Road Technology Park. The decision came after a two‑hour public comment period and a night of testimony from residents and developers. Supporters and opponents had sparred for months over water use, traffic, and the effect on the county’s rural character. ### What exactly did the board reject on May 27? The board denied motions required to rezone nearly 430 acres along U.S. Route 33 and Mountain Road for a multi‑building data center campus proposed by Denver‑based developer Tract. The 4‑3 vote came late on Wednesday after several hours of public comment. ### Who is Tract and what was the Mountain Road Technology Park proposal? (richmondbizsense.com) Tract, a Denver‑based data center developer, proposed a mixed‑use technology park with about 129 acres reserved for building areas across five development zones and building heights up to 62 feet. The company framed the campus as phased development that could extend through 2034. ### How much water and power would the project have used? (wtvr.com) Developers told county staff the campus could require an average of about 600,000 gallons of water per day, with peak demand approaching 2 million gallons daily, figures that opponents cited in public testimony. Dominion Energy projected that first electrical service for the development could be available by late 2029. (virginiabusiness.com) ### What were the main concerns raised by residents and opponents? Residents from the Mountain Road and Route 33 area testified that the project could strain local water supplies, increase traffic, generate noise and alter property values, with some urging supervisors to “save Hanover” by denying the plan. Critics said voluntary proffers and design changes did not sufficiently address environmental and infrastructure risks. (wric.com) ### What did Tract and other supporters say in response? Tract representatives said the campus would not rely on well water, that the company had completed traffic and noise studies, and that the project would bring economic benefits including more than 300 permanent jobs and phased tax revenue beginning in 2030. The developer also noted it had increased buffers and reduced maximum building heights in revised plans. (wric.com) ### How did county officials frame the decision and what comes next? Hanover County supervisors voted along a 4‑3 split; the narrow margin reflected divided views among board members about balancing potential tax revenue and infrastructure impacts. County staff records and developer filings show the proposal included projected property‑tax and sales/use tax revenue estimates tied to a multi‑phase buildout. (virginiabusiness.com) ### When could the issue return to the county or another forum? Dominion Energy’s timeline estimated first electrical service by late 2029 if the project proceeded, and Tract’s application documents indicated phased construction through at least 2034; Tract has not publicly announced an immediate appeal or next administrative step following the May 27 vote. Any formal appeal or revised submission would be recorded in upcoming county planning commission or board meeting agendas. (virginiabusiness.com)