Massive data center plan scrapped after residents voice frustrations in Charles City County

CHARLES CITY COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A massive data center project has been scrapped in Charles City County after the developer withdrew its proposal following months of neighbors voicing their concerns.

Diode Ventures, the Kansas-based developer, withdrew its proposal to rezone 515 acres on a site in Charles City County to use for Roxbury Technology Park and notified the Charles City County Board of Supervisors on Monday, Aug. 18. The proposed site would have sat near Charles City and Roxbury Roads, near hundreds of homes.

The developer reportedly spent about two years working in the county to analyze the Roxbury Technology Park site for a potential data center redevelopment. However, after months of public upset, Diode Ventures adjusted the application based on feedback from the local community, but it wasn't enough for them to continue moving forward.

"However, after careful consideration, Diode notified the Charles City County Board of Supervisors on August 18 that we would be withdrawing our rezoning application and accompanying special use permits for the site," a spokesperson with the developer said.

A spokesperson with the developer said that, despite its withdrawal, they tried to find ways the community would benefit from the massive project, which included improved local infrastructure, significant new tax revenue streams and job training initiatives.

Diode Ventures acknowledged the support from the county Planning Commission for the project earlier this year, but in a statement to 8News, mentioned that "the decision to shift our focus elsewhere [was] based on the results of conversations with our local collaborators and analysis of the site's availability to be shovel-ready with power and municipal support."

In late June, 8News reported that dozens of county residents voiced fierce opposition to the proposed 515-acre data center development in Charles City County, as it would have sat right next to many people's homes, disrupting traffic.

“You’re swimming in the water with sharks right now,” one neighbor said to board members during public comment at a Charles City County Board of Supervisors meeting on the evening of Tuesday, June 24.

“Neighbors are overwhelmingly against this type of project,” another neighbor said during the June 24 meeting. “Please… read the room.”

Many argued it would bring years of disruptive construction, along with lasting noise and light pollution. Yet, neighbors had been voicing their frustrations for months prior.

The presenter at the March Board of Supervisors meeting claimed that, despite notable pushback from residents, the project aligns with the county's plan to maintain a rural character while bringing in low-density jobs -- about 50 to 100 permanent jobs at the time -- and minimal traffic.

The developer emphasized that, moving forward, they are committed to projects that can benefit people both financially and infrastructurally in support of the community. However, it appears there are no plans to resubmit any future applications in Charles City County. 

"We thank those who engaged with us during this process, and we wish Charles City County success," a Diode Ventures spokesperson said.

The developer submitted a zoning application in Charles City County back in March, shortly before the Board of Supervisors meeting, 8News previously reported.

8News has reached out to Charles City County for comment, but has not heard back as of the time of reporting.