The Botetourt County Planning Commission unanimously voted Monday night to ask the Board of Supervisors for authorization to organize a public forum examining water resources, power infrastructure, noise and other issues related to the proposed Google data center campus at the Botetourt Center at Greenfield.
The request follows an extended Planning Commission work session in which commissioners discussed the limits of the commission’s authority under Virginia law and how best to address public interest surrounding the proposed development and its potential impacts.
According to information released by Botetourt County, commissioners reviewed several documents prepared by members of the Planning Commission outlining questions and discussion topics related to water supply, infrastructure planning, drought management, power infrastructure and other issues associated with the proposed data center campus.
During the meeting, legal counsel advised commissioners that the Planning Commission does not have the authority under Virginia law to independently organize a special survey or study of that nature. Instead, any such effort must first be authorized by the Board of Supervisors.
Following that guidance, commissioners shifted their discussion toward formally requesting direction from the board.
The Planning Commission unanimously approved a motion recommending that the supervisors authorize and direct the commission to organize a special public meeting or forum. The motion also calls for submitting several supporting documents to the board, including the “Botetourt Planning Commission Water Situation Summary v5.2,” the “Botetourt Planning Commission Official Infrastructure and Accountability Request,” the “Primary Water Assessment White Paper” and a consolidated list of water planning questions.
If approved by the Board of Supervisors, commissioners envision holding the forum later this year after additional planning and coordination.
According to the county, the proposed event would be designed to provide factual information and expert perspectives on water resources, power infrastructure and other topics related to the Google data center campus.
Commission members also noted that establishing a clear scope for the discussion will be important before extending invitations to participants.
Among the topics identified for possible discussion are long-term water supply planning and regional capacity, peak versus average daily water demand, cooling technologies used at modern data centers, drought response planning, water conservation measures, wastewater treatment and discharge, emergency water supply priorities, groundwater and aquifer protection, safeguards for private wells, emergency contingency planning, electric grid capacity, noise and environmental impacts, and financial and legal accountability.
If the board authorizes the forum, commissioners discussed inviting representatives from organizations with technical expertise in water planning and infrastructure. Potential participants mentioned during the meeting included representatives of the Western Virginia Water Authority, Virginia Tech, representatives associated with the proposed Google data center project and other subject matter experts.
County staff said developing a focused list of questions in advance would allow invited experts to prepare meaningful, fact-based responses. Commissioners also emphasized the importance of assembling a balanced panel representing a range of technical perspectives.
The Planning Commission’s request is expected to come before the Board of Supervisors at its July 28 meeting.
Along with the request, commissioners will submit the supporting documents reviewed during Monday’s work session. If the board grants authorization, commissioners anticipate refining the forum agenda during their August meeting with the goal of holding the public event in September.
The Board of Supervisors will ultimately determine whether to authorize the Planning Commission to organize the proposed public forum and establish the next steps for the effort.
~ Fincastle Herald staff report
