‘Finally somebody heard us’: Henrico residents react after data center company’s appeal is denied

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — In a unanimous decision, the Henrico Board of Zoning Appeals rejected a data center company's claim that it had a vested right to build a data center complex in the Varina district. The ruling upholds a decision made in December 2025 by Henrico's Director of Planning, Joseph Emerson.

This is the latest in a months-long saga between Varina residents, county leaders and the data center company Centra Logistics, also known as Wagner Urban Logistics.

One resident, who attended the decisive meeting and has been following the process, was overwhelmed with emotion at the board's decision.

"I just felt like we've been fighting this and I felt like, finally, somebody heard us," said Amy Burrell, who lives in New Market Village, across the street from the proposed site.

In fall 2025, the company's plan to build on nearly 200 acres of land along Darbytown Road was met with resistance by neighbors and some county supervisors. The plan also came at a time when Henrico County changed its rules to require developers to get a provisional use permit (PUP) to start building. Previously, companies only needed approval from the Planning Commission to buy property and start building.

When the new regulations were adopted, Centra argued that it deserved to be grandfathered in. The Board of Supervisors disagreed and ordered data center projects in the approval process to abide by the new regulations.

As a result, the company underwent the PUP application process. However, after the Planning Commission recommended the plan be denied, Centra withdrew its application before the Board of Supervisors could make an official decision.

CEO David Wagner then filed a vested right claim in October 2025. Emerson denied the claim in December 2025 -- which led to Centra's appeal.

During a Board of Zoning Appeals hearing on Thursday, Feb. 26, Wagner maintained his belief that Centra should be able to build the data center complex under the rules that were in place when it initially filed its plans in April 2025.

Centra Logistics CEO, David Wagner, addresses the Henrico County Board of Zoning Appeals. (Photo: 8News)

"From my perspective as a small local business owner, the vesting laws in question exist to create predictability for exactly these types of situations," Wagner said. "When the county affirmatively tells someone a project is allowed and encourages them to move forward, they can do so without fear that the rules will suddenly change midstream,"

During the public comment period, some Henrico businessmen also spoke in favor of Centra's appeal and voiced concerns that the Board's rejection of Centra’s appeal would set a negative precedent for future business.

"The applicant had done everything in good faith to be here and I think it's important for this body to uphold that piece so that it doesn't undermine general business confidence in the county," said one speaker.

Meanwhile, neighbors who spoke in opposition to the appeal argued that Wagner did not own the site at the time of filing for vested rights in October 2025.

"They didn't buy the land till November 2025," one woman said. "I don't know why we're here -- there is no vested right issue, because they were not the landowners."

Wagner declined to comment on the Board's decision to deny his company's appeal.

Neighbors of New Market Village share their reactions after the Henrico County Board of Zoning Appeals' ruling on a data center proposal. [Left: Amy Burrell, Right: Jacqueline Bruce] (Photo: 8News)

Jacqueline Bruce, another resident of New Market Village, said the months-long process has brought neighbors together.

"For our community, I think we're better off because we're a little closer, we're more interactive, we definitely have used the skill sets that we have to our advantage," she said.

Burrell said the experience has taught her to become more involved in her community.

"I make a point of coming to more [of] the meetings, where I can learn more about what's going on in the community, and then taking it back to my community and sharing it with them so that they can also have a say, as well," she said.

Neighbors said they'll be waiting to see if Centra decides to appeal the ruling to the Henrico Circuit Court.