Request for Varina data center withdrawn by developer

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Plans for a controversial data center campus in Henrico County have been withdrawn after constant pushback from residents.

Wagner Urban Logistics recently pulled their application for a provisional use permit (PUP), shortly before the county's Board of Supervisors was set to make an official decision on Tuesday, Oct. 14.

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

For months, Henrico residents have voiced concerns about the site's proximity to nearby schools, as well as environmental impacts like noise and air pollution.

The board's decision comes after the county's Planning Commission recommended supervisors deny the application last month.

Varina district supervisor Tyrone Nelson credited this outcome to the tighter restrictions approved by the board in June, which eliminated by-right approvals.

"I think it takes, the residents, for sure, and then the will of those who are elected, we created, the elected officials created the environment, so that the community's voice is really heard," Nelson said.

The developer did not provide a reason for its decision to withdraw.