Beyer urges Planning Commission to reject data center substation
Rep. Don Beyer (D-8th District) urges the Fairfax County Planning Commission to deny the 2232 application for Dominion’s proposed substation to serve the Edsall Data Center planned for the Plaza 500 site in Bren Mar Park.
“I have serious concerns about the potential impact of this project on residents,” Beyer wrote in a letter to the Planning Commission. “Data center infrastructure should not be built in residential areas where its scale and likely impacts are fundamentally incompatible with the character and quality of life of adjacent neighborhoods.”
The Planning Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing and make a decision on the 2232 application on Sept. 24. Because the substation is a public facility, it goes through the 2232 process, which means the Planning Commission has the final word – and the Board of Supervisors won’t have to vote on a very unpopular project.
However, if the Planning Commission denies the application, Dominion can appeal to the Board of Supervisors.
The Mason District Land Use Committee will vote on Sept. 22 on a formal recommendation to the Planning Commission. The MDLUC’s meeting on July 28, where Dominion staff gave a presentation on the project, drew a large crowd of angry residents who oppose the substation.
Related story: Community members speak out against a substation at Plaza 500
In his letter, Beyer noted that the proposed substation is a matter of significant concern for his constituents. “Residents have raised important questions about the compatibility of this project with the surrounding community. Specific concerns include land use, environmental impacts like flooding, excessive lighting, and noise pollution, and whether this proposal supports thoughtful, sustainable growth envisioned for Lincolnia.”
Fairfax County has taken important steps to establish guidelines to address those concerns and minimize impacts on surrounding neighborhoods, Beyer said. “Many residents and stakeholders have expressed concerns that this specific proposal does not align with those objectives. I share those concerns.”
“I recognize the importance of maintaining the infrastructure necessary to support our region’s economy and technological leadership,” he said. “However, as we continue to experience unprecedented growth in data center development, we must ensure that these projects are appropriately located outside of residential areas.”
Tyler Ray, founder of the SaveBrenMar Coalition and president of the Bren Pointe Homeowners Association, thanked Beyer “for listening to constituents on an issue that is critical to our health and quality of life, and protecting the 8th District’s environment and sustainable growth and development for the benefit of all residents.”
“We call on the Planning Commission to deny this application,” Ray said. “We call on Dominion Energy and the data center developer Starwood Capital Group to abandon their effort to put a substation and data center campus at Plaza 500. It’s time to put sustainable, transit-oriented affordable housing and mixed-use development at this site within walking distance to the Van Dorn Metro Station.”
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