While the PC voted to not recommend approval of the zoning modifications requested by the developer, we first found that the proposal was “not substantially in accord” with Fredericksburg’s Comprehensive Plan.
Under Virginia Code § 15.2-2232, if a local planning commission determines that a public or certain private facility (like a utility, street, or solar project) is not substantially in accord with the local comprehensive plan, that project generally cannot be built or authorized. In this case, it was the inclusion of the project’s proposed electrical substation (which does not exist in the Comp Plan) and the non-inclusion of a pedestrian bridge from their property across I-95 to Central Park (which does exist in the Comp Plan) that led to this determination.
State code gives the local governing body (e.g. our City Council) the authority to overrule the commission's “not in substantial accord” finding and approve the project anyway. I am gratified to see that a majority of Council Members have made such definitive statements validating the Planning Commission’s decision and recommendation.
RE: Penzance 1500 Gateway DATA CENTER project. 22401 residents are still talking about that DATA CENTER industry 'playbook' Slick trick to 'bring out a supporter-packed Council meeting in May'. Twelve of these 'supporters' went to the public comment mic in support of the Penzance project.
These were members of the itinerant carpenters/plumbers union. These are skilled carpenters who have well-paying jobs because they have a good union. They travel from one project site to the next to build DATA CENTERS.
NOT one of them is a resident of the city of Fredericksburg 22401. Mayor Kerry Devine did not do 'due diligence' to ask 4 of these 12 Non-resident speakers to follow Council procedure to 'State your name, address, and ZIP code'.
Sure anyone can speak at the Council mic. But, this 'fakeout' by non-residents to tell us about their support of the lousy Penzance 1500 Gateway project, reminds us of the time that Spotsy, King George, and Stafford residents went to the mic to convince the Fredericksburg 22401 'elected' and constituents that the failing 'Hagerstown Suns' was a 'sweetheart deal'.
We held out for the Fred Nats.
Same goes for this going nowhere 1500 Gateway project. They've been turned down by Planning Commission in July 2025. Regional attorney for DATA CENTERS Charlie Payne came back in Dec 2025, then withdrew their application. It ain't no deal for 22401.
Hurrah!
While the PC voted to not recommend approval of the zoning modifications requested by the developer, we first found that the proposal was “not substantially in accord” with Fredericksburg’s Comprehensive Plan.
Under Virginia Code § 15.2-2232, if a local planning commission determines that a public or certain private facility (like a utility, street, or solar project) is not substantially in accord with the local comprehensive plan, that project generally cannot be built or authorized. In this case, it was the inclusion of the project’s proposed electrical substation (which does not exist in the Comp Plan) and the non-inclusion of a pedestrian bridge from their property across I-95 to Central Park (which does exist in the Comp Plan) that led to this determination.
State code gives the local governing body (e.g. our City Council) the authority to overrule the commission's “not in substantial accord” finding and approve the project anyway. I am gratified to see that a majority of Council Members have made such definitive statements validating the Planning Commission’s decision and recommendation.
— David Durham, Chair, FXBG Planning Commission
Good news for sure! The TOD is the only site data centers should be in.
RE: Penzance 1500 Gateway DATA CENTER project. 22401 residents are still talking about that DATA CENTER industry 'playbook' Slick trick to 'bring out a supporter-packed Council meeting in May'. Twelve of these 'supporters' went to the public comment mic in support of the Penzance project.
These were members of the itinerant carpenters/plumbers union. These are skilled carpenters who have well-paying jobs because they have a good union. They travel from one project site to the next to build DATA CENTERS.
NOT one of them is a resident of the city of Fredericksburg 22401. Mayor Kerry Devine did not do 'due diligence' to ask 4 of these 12 Non-resident speakers to follow Council procedure to 'State your name, address, and ZIP code'.
Sure anyone can speak at the Council mic. But, this 'fakeout' by non-residents to tell us about their support of the lousy Penzance 1500 Gateway project, reminds us of the time that Spotsy, King George, and Stafford residents went to the mic to convince the Fredericksburg 22401 'elected' and constituents that the failing 'Hagerstown Suns' was a 'sweetheart deal'.
We held out for the Fred Nats.
Same goes for this going nowhere 1500 Gateway project. They've been turned down by Planning Commission in July 2025. Regional attorney for DATA CENTERS Charlie Payne came back in Dec 2025, then withdrew their application. It ain't no deal for 22401.
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