Henry County’s zoning ordinance does not include regulations for data centers or battery energy storage systems — but proposed rules are on the way.
The county’s board of supervisors will discuss proposed zoning regulations during its Tuesday meeting, with an eye toward seeking public comments in late July. Supervisors will meet at 3 p.m. in the Summerlin Room at the county administrative building, 3300 King’s Mountain Road, Martinsville.
The county planning commission reviewed several zoning ordinance changes Feb. 11, according to meeting documents. The commission received no public comments during an April 15 hearing on the proposals.
The planning and zoning department recommends that supervisors schedule a July 28 final public hearing before voting on the changes.
The growth of data centers in the commonwealth has become controversial because they are noisy, consume a lot of electricity and water for cooling the equipment, and take up a lot of acreage.
Battery energy storage systems are a growing segment of Virginia’s electricity production and delivery network.
Currently, there are no data centers or large-scale battery energy storage systems in Henry County.
Proposed data center regulations include:
- They would be allowed in industrial districts with a special-use permit.
- A water supply impact study must be submitted, including projected water demand, a description of the equipment cooling technology, the water source, downstream impacts, provisions for drought conditions and the effect on existing water users, including private wells.
- Mechanical infrastructure must be within an enclosed structure, screened from view from adjacent streets or buildings.
- Generator testing would be limited to weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
- The owner must provide evidence of utility company approval before construction begins.
- During operation, a data center cannot produce noise at a level beyond 50 A-weighted decibels (a sound measurement that focuses on mid-range frequencies that are most sensitive to human hearing). Noise levels must be tested by a qualified sound engineer before the center begins operation.
- Noise testing must be conducted every fifth year throughout the facility’s life.
Proposed battery energy storage regulations include:
- They would be allowed in agricultural districts with a special-use permit and in industrial districts without a special-use permit.
- Facilities must be set back at least 50 feet from property lines.
- Noise from a facility cannot exceed 50 A-weighted decibels.
- Industries would be allowed to install such systems for their own use.
- On-site utility lines must be placed underground when feasible.
- Screening or landscaping must shield the facilities from view.
- Areas within 30 feet of a facility on each side must be cleared of combustible vegetation.
- Security fencing must be at least 6 feet tall, with razor or barbed wire as appropriate, behind the vegetative buffer.
- The facility must have constant automated fire detection and extinguishing technology.
- Systems that are to be removed or abandoned must follow a decommissioning plan that includes details of the activities involved and an estimated schedule.
Other zoning proposals would affect solar farms, container homes, outbuildings and more.
You can find meeting documents here.
