Developer looking to still build data center in Varina despite ‘no’ from county leaders, community push back

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A company wanting to build a data center in Henrico County is hitting roadblocks. 

Kansas City-based Wagner Urban Logistics is still hoping to call a part of Darbytown Road home, but Varina residents took a sigh of relief when that company withdrew its request to start building on Oct. 13.  

Wagner is the first company going through the county’s new rules to get a provisional use permit (PUP) to start building. 

“A data center should really not ever be in this close proximity to residents," Varina resident Beatrix Plaza said.  

As community backlash stacked up against county officials, the steps to build a data center changed in June. Companies now have to be approved by the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors in a public meeting to get the PUP. 

“Low-frequency vibrations (and) the emissions that come from data centers that are continual... I don’t want any more light pollution. I don’t want any more noise pollution," Plaza said. 

The Planning Commission voted against giving Wagner the permit in September. Wagner then pulled its request just one day before the Board of Supervisors would’ve voted on it on Oct. 14.  

The permit would have allowed a data center to be built on nearly 200 acres of land.

“I am a staunch defender that this data center should not go in this area, but — I’m saying this on record — I do actually feel a little bit bad for Wagner Corporation," Plaza said. "I think they tried to speak to the community, and I think they tried to hear the community’s concerns.”  

Wagner is hoping to get a vested rights approval, meaning they shouldn't have to follow these new rules, arguing they've met all requirements to be approved.

If not, things could head to court. 

“I definitely don’t think this fight is over," Plaza said. "Even if the Wagner group completely does withdraw, there may be another data center interest that might want to do the same thing.” 

8News reached out to Wagner Urban Logistics and did not hear back by the time of publication.

Henrico is no stranger to data centers. There are about 40 data center properties in Henrico. Additionally, Virginia has the largest concentration of data centers in the world.

Plaza has lived in her Varina home with her family since 2021 and watched as data center after data center popped up in Henrico. 

Varina Supervisor Tyrone Nelson will hold two community meetings to discuss the next steps for Darbytown Road:

• From 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 23, at the Elko Community Center.
• From 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 27, at the Henrico Theatre.

Those who can't make it in person can also join the meetings remotely.