Know the Facts
about Data
Large data centers promise economic benefits, but every Virginia county that said yes is now living with consequences nobody warned them about. Frederick County is at a crossroads and we must choose our future wisely.
—neighbors have signed so far
Three Decisions,
One Night
On October 28 the Board votes on the Gibson rezoning, 244 acres between Fairfax Pike and Route 522 first pitched as a hyperscale data center campus, with data centers never ruled out. The same night is the grandfathering deadline set on September 23, when the Board voted 6–1, with Supervisor Gary Oates opposed, to remove data centers from the zoning ordinance: Virginia Technology Park in Clear Brook and Winchester Gateway in Kernstown must come before the Board by October 28 to keep their applications alive.
What to Know
01The Gibson rezoning (REZ #08-26)
Peterson Companies wants 244 acres rezoned to M1 for “advanced manufacturing, logistics, and distribution.” The site was pitched to the EDA in January 2025 as a hyperscale data center campus, Peterson's own estimate includes a $50M substation, and the proffers exclude jails and fast food but not data centers. The Planning Commission recommended denial 11–2 on October 7. Read the Gibson briefing.02What the September 23 vote did
The Board voted 6–1 to adopt the amendment deleting the data center definition (§165-1105.05), the operating standards (§165-705.01), and the use-matrix row (§165-603.02). The vote followed the Planning Commission's September 2 public hearing, where the Commission also recommended denial of the Winchester Gateway conditional use permit.03The October 28 deadline
Virginia Technology Park (Rezoning #04-26) and Winchester Gateway (CUP #03-26) are the only two applications covered by the grandfathering resolution. If an applicant does not come before the Board by October 28, its application is no longer protected. Watch the county agenda for either one to appear.04Why the gap still matters
The adopted amendment still never states, in plain language, that data centers are not allowed in Frederick County. Under §165-602.01, a deleted use becomes unlisted, and an unlisted use is decided by the Zoning Administrator without a public hearing. Our independent attorney's written opinion has been delivered to Protect Frederick. Read the full briefing.05How to Be Heard
Citizen Comments is open for anything not on the agenda. Speakers get three minutes and should give their name and district. If you cannot attend, written comment to the Board is still part of the record.
Removing Data Centers From the Ordinance
Is Not the Same as Banning Them
On July 8 the Board of Supervisors directed staff to draft a resolution removing data centers as an allowed use from every County zoning district, on August 12 the Board passed that resolution unanimously, and on September 23 the Board adopted the amendment 6–1. Yet the adopted text deletes three sections without ever stating, in plain language, that data centers are not allowed here. Under §165-602.01, a use that is deleted becomes unlisted rather than prohibited, and an unlisted use is decided by the Zoning Administrator, without a public hearing.
Where It Stands
Where the Proposals Stand
Gibson Property
- Jan 2025Pitched as a hyperscale data center campus with a 100+ MW gas power plant.
- Oct 7Planning Commission voted 11-2 to recommend denial. The proffers still do not exclude data centers.
- Oct 28Board of Supervisors vote.
Virginia Technology Park
- May 5Planning Commission work session
- Jun 3Planning Commission voted 10-0 to recommend denial. Commissioners cited lack of detail and enforceable proffers.
- Jun 2026Equus pulled the application from the July 8 Board of Supervisors agenda. BOS hearing postponed indefinitely.
- Oct 28Grandfathering deadline. The application must come before the Board by this date to stay alive under the September 23 resolution.
Winchester Gateway LLC
- Apr 17HRAB voted 7-1 to recommend denial, citing battlefield visibility, unresolved water disposal, and incomplete archaeology.
- Jun 2026Applicant withdrew from the July 1 Planning Commission hearing after concerns raised at a work session. Issues: power infrastructure, building height, screening, and low-frequency noise.
- Sept 2Planning Commission recommended denial of CUP #03-26 after the public hearing.
- Oct 28Grandfathering deadline. The application must come before the Board by this date to stay alive under the September 23 resolution.
Three New High-Voltage Lines
Through Frederick County
Three separate transmission projects are being routed through Frederick County to carry power from West Virginia to Loudoun County's data centers. Most of the power does not stay here and Frederick County absorbs the cleared land and lost views for power that serves another county's tax base.
At a Glance
Show Up.
Be Counted.
We have seen the impact of our unified voice. The pressure is working. Keep it up.
Submit written comment to the county.
Both county-hosted forums have now been held (Feb. 24 and May 7) and on September 23 the Board voted 6–1 to remove data centers from the zoning ordinance. Help them close the gap that remains. Written comments submitted to the Board of Supervisors remain part of the official public record. Use the tool below to find your representative and contact them directly.Attend the October 28 Board meeting.
On October 28 the Board of Supervisors votes on the Gibson rezoning, and the two pending data center applicants must come before the Board to keep their applications alive. Attend in person or submit written comment. The Board cannot ignore a large turnout of residents who show up to speak.Contact your supervisor directly.
Use the tool to find your Board representative. Our county officials are listening. Keep the pressure on.Bring a neighbor.
Invite someone from your road, your church, your feed store, your HOA. Most residents still don't know what's happening. Higher turnout sends an unmistakable signal.
Contact Your Board Supervisor
Sign the Petition.
Go on Record.
Showing up is powerful. Adding your name to the official petition makes your opposition part of the permanent public record.
Frederick County residents have signed.
Every signature is presented to the Board.
Why signing matters
- Your name and district become part of the official public record. The Board cannot ignore it.
- A petition with hundreds of signatures from across all six districts demonstrates countywide opposition, not just one neighborhood.
- If the Board delays a decision, the petition keeps pressure on between meetings.
- Signatures can be printed and delivered directly to the Board at public meetings.
- Takes less than 60 seconds to sign.
Media Resources
Covering data centers in Frederick County? Everything on this site is sourced and available for reference. Contact us for comment, data, or interviews with local residents.
Key Facts for Coverage
- Two data center proposals were rejected by the Board 5-1 in June 2025: a 644-acre campus south of Stephens City (Tract Capital) and a 105-acre site south of Winchester.
- Frederick County sits almost entirely on karst terrain, a geological formation that makes groundwater uniquely vulnerable to contamination from industrial activity.
- The county is served by two member-owned electric cooperatives: REC and SVEC. REC projects 17 GW of data center demand by 2040, 18× its current peak load.
- Two county-hosted data center information forums have been held: Feb. 24 at Sherando High School (~250–300 residents, vocal opposition) and May 7, 2026 at James Wood High School (originally postponed after backlash on the format).
- All statistics on this site are sourced to primary documents: JLARC, Virginia Energy, USGS, Consumer Federation of America, NPR, and local Virginia press.
Contact
For press inquiries, interview requests, or comment, reach out directly. We can also connect journalists with local residents, farmers, and community members willing to speak on the record.
info@protectfrederick.orgThis site is an independent community effort by Frederick County residents. It is not affiliated with any political party or outside organization.
Spread the Word
Across the Valley
Share this page so neighbors stay informed as the Board of Supervisors continues to weigh these proposals.