CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Chesterfield County is making room for a data center development and a community for older adults after approving their rezoning on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, May 28, the county's Board of Supervisors approved the rezoning of two locations -- one at 750 Watkins Centre Parkway, a 350-acre property and Upper Magnolia Green West technology village, along with a community for adults aged 55 and older.

John Martin at Chesterfield County's Board of Supervisors meeting on Wednesday, May 28 (Photo: Chesterfield County)

John Martin, the president and CEO of RVA757 Connects, aims to create a digital ecosystem in Midlothian.

"For it to really work for local businesses is local data storage. So you need local data centers to really complete a digital ecosystem on a county-wide scale," Martin said. "Those [who] are here benefit because every business now is a digital business. This will help attract even more businesses tomorrow."

Martin also emphasized the importance of residents having access to a local data center, saying, "All of us carry around phones and computers, and we've got to store our data locally is a big advantage."

Two data center development rezoning approved

Each development comes with extensive water and wastewater proffers, the board decided.

The Watkins Centre development in Midlothian was approved for data center and accessory uses.

The proposal will rezone acreage to create new tracts that allow limited industrial uses. The larger acre portion "Tract A" would be primarily for data center and accessory uses, while "Tract B" is for corporate office space, research, laboratories and other research and development.

John Eastern, senior vice president of government and community affairs at ChamberRVA, called this an "outstanding economic development opportunity."

As for the Upper Magnolia Green West technology village, the plan is to eliminate residential uses and rezone more acreage.

The rezoning consists of a new high school, middle school and elementary school, as well as a library.

Vernon McClure at Chesterfield County's Board of Supervisors meeting on Wednesday, May 28 (Photo: Chesterfield County)

Vernon McClure, the president of Main Street Homes and a resident of Chesterfield for over 40 years, shared his concerns about having buildings near residents of over 200 feet after zoning Dogwood.

"We are a good company in the area, we support the area. Our 90 employees own these lots," McClure said. "As part of the board, I feel a real responsibility for them [and] for our future homeowners. we're not against it. We just don't want it to hurt our employees and our homeowners."

55 and older community approved

In addition to the two new development centers, the Retreat at Rivers Bend development at 12330 N. Kingston Avenue will also see a rezoning in the future.

The community near Interstate 295 in Chesterfield has been approved a community for older adults aged 55 and older.

Kim Lacy at Chesterfield County's Board of Supervisors meeting on Wednesday, May 28 (Photo: Chesterfield County)

Kim Lacy, a commercial real estate and land use attorney spoke on behalf of two applications, highlighted its amenities: a community garden, parks, a pet park, a pet spa, sidewalks, a clubhouse and more, along with nearby residents.

"This age restricted use would generate much less traffic than what would be generated if a commercial development came and built on the site today," Lacy said.

"I've met with the HOA multiple times, and at this point, the HOA has come back and said, 'we're okay with this case, and we'd really have this case than commercial development,'" Board of Supervisors chair and Bermuda district supervisor Jim Ingle said. "That's what I asked the HOA to do... give me a recommendation, and based on that recommendation, I make the motion to approve."