Orange County considers data center zoning, agriculture, PFAS protections

The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) reports that the Orange County Board of Supervisors approved a new Technology zoning district allowing broad rezoning for data centers, while the Town of Orange Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on proposed data center ordinance changes on Jan. 13. PEC also details ongoing PFAS biosolids permitting processes, a withdrawn 1.2 GW gas plant proposal in Orange County, and a permanent Agricultural Land Easement protecting 365 acres with PEC and the Willis family.

• Main announcement / action: The Orange County Board approved a Technology zoning district that “allows practically any parcel of land, anywhere in the county, to be rezoned for data centers”; the Town of Orange Planning Commission will consider draft ordinance amendments at a public hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 13 @ 6 p.m., Town of Orange Community Meeting Room, 235 Warren Street, Orange. PEC urges the Town to prohibit hyperscale data centers over 40,000 square feet and to require special use permits where data centers remain allowed.
• Background and other details: DEQ held a public hearing in October on a permit to spread PFAS-contaminated biosolids and will hold a second hearing before a final decision; PEC reports 75% of Arlington WPCP biosolids (including over 7,000 tons in Orange County since 2018) are land-applied across the PEC region and DEQ is proposing to renew the Arlington WPCP permit without PFAS testing or limits.
  • DEQ Arlington County public hearing: Thursday, Jan. 15 @ 7 p.m., Innovation Elementary School, 2300 Key Blvd, Arlington (opportunity to speak in person).
  • Land conservation action: PEC and the Willis family completed an Agricultural Land Easement (ALE) protecting 365 acres and 3.2 miles of river frontage (federal grant facilitated the easement).