The rezoning application for Greenlin Park that was scheduled for the November 7 Board of Supervisors business meeting has been postponed indefinitely. Despite known opposition and inconsistency with county policy, this application still proposes to convert a forested area to data center use. As it currently stands, the application poses major dangers to wildlife habitat, steep-slope sensitive environmental areas, and the stream health of Sycolin Creek.

As with all data center applications, this potential project has serious repercussions for the integrity of wildlife habitat across the county. Continued legislative approval of data center applications jeopardizes wildlife habitat by increasing infrastructure needs. This application exemplifies further proliferation of data center issues in the County, including an over-reliance on tax revenue from a single industry, potential inequity in cost-sharing for Loudoun residents, decline in open space, and counteraction of climate/clean energy goals.

The footprint of this application is substantial. The building area for the data center and substation on the property would result in notable tree canopy loss. Including the property’s entrance, this would cut through the floodplain and endanger wetlands and environmentally sensitive steep slopes. Despite new commitments from the applicant to redirect stormwater runoff, proximity to the floodplain could have domino effects that would further degrade the stream health of Sycolin Creek. The proximity to, and bisection of, wetlands degrades and destroys prime habitat for the endangered wood turtle.

This application is not appropriate for the proposed area. The uses suggested are inconsistent with those outlined for this location’s designation as a transitional place type according to the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan, which stipulates that “open spaces serve as [the] dominant landscape”. Continual approvals of rezoning applications such as this directly contradict the stated goals of the transitional policy area.

We have additional concerns regarding how public engagement has been carried out on this project. We thank everyone who wrote in, signed up to speak, attended the November 7th business meeting and/or gave verbal comments to the Board. The last-minute removal of the application from the agenda is worrisome, and we will be very closely monitoring it through all avenues feasible to ensure that it is not acted upon by the Board without ample opportunity for public engagement. This includes continuing to converse and meet with Supervisors and county staff on public process concerns and keeping the public informed.

Please see the comments Loudoun Wildlife submitted to the Board of Supervisors at the application’s September public hearing, November business meeting or the project application packet for more information.

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