Data center height limit doubled in York County
Board seeks to limit noise, demands on water and power supplies with other changes
The York County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 last month to approve revisions to the county’s data center regulations. One particular change allows the maximum allowable building height to double from from 35 feet to 75 feet, while other new constraints seek control over noise, power and water consumption. County staff said the height increase aligns data center standards with height limits already permitted in York County’s industrial zoning districts and is intended to maximize efficient land use. The 75-foot limit includes rooftop mechanical equipment such as cooling towers and air-conditioning units.
The persistent hum of a data center in Loudoun County in Northern Virginia, the data center capital of the world. (Williamsburg Independent)
Jeanne Carner, a senior planner with York County’s Planning Division, said the change was intended to bring data center standards in line with existing industrial zoning regulations. “75 feet is what’s allowed in our industrial zoning districts, so we brought it up to match that,” Carner told the board.
“The proposed amendments reflect evolving practices among data center developers and operators and a more comprehensive understanding of the potential impacts associated with these facilities,” York County Administrator wrote in a memorandum to the board in support of the new ordinance. “These revisions strengthen existing regulations by clarifying performance standards, addressing emerging operational trends, and reducing the potential for adverse effects on surrounding properties and communities.”
See the data center zoning presentation from 1:34:48:
During the hearing, while many questions centered on how taller facilities could affect nearby neighborhoods, staff noted that data centers must maintain a 500-foot setback from residential property lines. They will also require a special use permit, a process through which the board can impose site-specific conditions, including requirements affecting building placement to increase separation from adjacent homes.
Several residents raised concerns about decommissioning costs, noise, pollution, electrical grid impacts, and potential costs to utility ratepayers. Speakers also advocated for stronger decommissioning requirements, closed-loop water systems, more accurate measurement of low-frequency noise, and safeguards to ensure future development would not burden surrounding communities.
Hear public comment on data centers from 1:37:31:
The revised ordinance includes a range of operational and environmental standards for future projects. Developers will be required to:
Provide detailed information about projected electricity usage and energy sources
Obtain board approval before increasing electricity or water consumption
Submit hazardous materials management and stormwater runoff plans designed to prevent contamination of groundwater and surface water
The ordinance also adds a 65 C-weighted decibel limit, a measurement scale that captures low-frequency sound, intended to address noise from server fans, cooling systems, and HVAC equipment. Generator testing must be conducted one unit at a time and generator use is limited to testing, commissioning activities, and backup or emergency use.
The amendments also remove the board’s ability to approve alternative vegetative buffers, preserving the requirement for a 50-foot landscaped perimeter around data center developments.
In other news …
Government
James City County Early Voting Begins June 18 James City County has announced that early voting will begin on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 8:00 AM. Residents of James City County, York County, and the City of Williamsburg can participate in early voting ahead of the general election. For specific polling locations and hours, residents are encouraged to visit the James City County Government website or contact the Elections Office. Early voting provides residents with the opportunity to cast their ballots before Election Day at their convenience.
Historic Triangle Recreational Facilities Authority meets June 10 The City of Williamsburg reports that the Historic Triangle Recreational Facilities Authority will hold a meeting on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at 3:00 PM. The meeting will take place at Stryker Center, located at 412 North Boundary Street in Williamsburg. The authority oversees recreational facilities serving the greater Williamsburg area. Members of the public who wish to attend the meeting or learn more about upcoming agenda items are encouraged to contact the City of Williamsburg through its website or visit the municipal offices located at 401 Lafayette Street.
Education
National Center for State Courts hosts AI guidance webinar for judges The National Center for State Courts invites judicial officers to a free webinar on practical AI applications. Learn from a sitting judge and AI scholar on June 17.
PBS to Air America Made in Virginia Sesquicentennial Special July 4 PBS broadcasts America Made in Virginia: 250 Years Together live from Colonial Williamsburg on July 4 at 8 p.m. ET featuring performances, historic figures, and fireworks.
JYF Museums explores Robert Dinwiddie’s role shaping Virginia history JYF Museums posted a video exploring the historical significance of Robert Dinwiddie, who served as Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor from 1751 to 1758. The video examines whether Dinwiddie’s governance set in motion the major events that would define Virginia and American history. The episode investigates Dinwiddie’s potential influence on pivotal moments including the French and Indian War, colonial taxation disputes, and ultimately the American Revolution. The video considers how his decisions and policies during his tenure may have had lasting consequences for the region and the nation.
Recreation & Events
James City County Parks and Recreation Celebrates 45 Years With Community Event James City County Parks and Recreation announced it is celebrating its 45th anniversary in 2026, marking four decades of growth since the department’s establishment in 1981. The agency now operates 17 parks and maintains over 48 miles of trails while serving more than seven million visitors annually. The county is hosting a free Customer Appreciation Event on Saturday, July 18, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the James City County Recreation Center located at 5301 Longhill Road.
The celebration will feature food, games, music, crafts, a sensory room, and hands-on activities along with an 80s-themed atmosphere and photo opportunities. Attendees can participate in themed fitness classes including Step, 80s Hip Hop, and Family Drumming, with prizes awarded for best dressed in 80s attire. Residents interested in attending can RSVP by July 11 through the Xplor registration page, by calling 757-259-4200, or by visiting the Recreation Center front desk. RSVPs guarantee a food ticket, though walk-ins are also welcome.
Abram Frink Jr. Community Center Gym Closes for Floor Maintenance James City County Parks and Recreation reminds gym members that the Abram Frink Jr. Community Center in Grove will close from June 15 through June 22 for essential maintenance work on the gym floor. The facility will reopen on Tuesday, June 23, and remains closed on weekends as usual. During the closure, all active Frink Center pass holders are invited to use the James City County Recreation Center located at 5301 Longhill Road during normal operating hours. The maintenance project will include professional cleaning and refinishing of the gym floor with oil-based polyurethane. For additional information about the closure or to make arrangements, residents can contact Parks and Recreation at 757-887-5810 or 757-259-4200.
