Petersburg council makes way for data center near Ramblewood neighborhood

PETERSBURG, Va. (WRIC) -- In a Tuesday meeting, Petersburg city council unanimously agreed on two motions that will help a data center be developed not far from the Ramblewood neighborhood, despite resident concerns.

Council voted unanimously to rezone 176 acres to be industrial land and sold it to a development group on Tuesday, Feb. 17, despite more than a dozen residents sharing concerns about the negative impacts a data center would have on their properties.

"We got this beautiful property," one resident who lives nearby the future development said. "We had no idea that a data center was going in."

Council members agreed to rezone property at 2088 Defense Road, 1918 Townes Road,
and 1926 Bogese Drive from Agricultural and Single-family Residence, to Light Industrial. That area surrounds the Collier Yard railroad yard. They also agreed to sell that land to the Warrenton Group, the development firm set to build the center.

The price? $5,000 per acre. City officials also expect an increase in tax revenue from a data center.

But for residents that will live close to the data center, that's not a good selling point.

"Obviously, we are opposed to the rezoning that will destroy our quiet residential neighborhood and turn our personal lives upside down. We will see, hear, and smell this industrial development," one resident said. "Who would even consider locating a major industrial facility in the middle of a residential area? Only you folks, our elected city leaders, and your never ending search for more tax dollars."

Several parcels of land will serve as a buffer zone for the property. That land was also rezoned to Light Industrial, something that concerns neighbors who said it opens the door to more development if the data center ever closes.

"It was a secluded spot. It has wildlife," another resident said. "You have deers running through, you have all types of birds, and it's a beautiful place. So why would a town take one of the most prominent spots and make it into a business area?"

Some residents did speak in favor of a data center, saying it may be for the greater good of the city.

Petersburg is now one of many localities in central Virginia to discuss or agree on building a data center. It's been a divisive topic for residents and lawmakers, with concerns for environmental and health impacts weighing against potential economic benefit.

A timeline for the Petersburg data center's development has not been shared yet. 8News will continue bringing you updates as the project progresses.