Resources from Warrenton Town Hall Meeting August 10, 2022

Posted on by Kevin Kask
  • signs that say "Stop Amazon, Stop the Towers"
  • a crowd sits to watch a presentation
Photos by Hugh Kenny/PEC

On August 10, 2022 the local citizen group Protect Fauquier and nonprofit organizations Citizens for Fauquier County and Piedmont Environmental Council hosted a community town hall to highlight our concerns regarding the data center and its broader impacts and to share actions residents can take to oppose the proposal. Due to the limited seating and the high interest in the event, a number of people had to be turned away. However, we were able to record the event and we encourage those who were unable to attend to watch the recording.

Additional resources:

Upcoming key decisions:

Special Use Permit for Amazon data center

The most important and immediate is the Town of Warrenton’s decision on the Special Use Permit required for the Amazon data center. The first step in this process is review of the application by the Planning Commission, followed by a public hearing where citizens can provide comment. The Planning Commission will then make a recommendation of either approval or denial to the Town Council on the application. The Town Council will then hold its own public hearings, followed by a vote. This process will likely take several months, with the next Planning Commission work session scheduled for August 23. 

Town Planning Commission Work Session
Tuesday, August 23 at 7 p.m.
Main Street, Warrenton

Boundary Line Adjustment adding 1,744 acres into the Town

The Town of Warrenton has sent a letter to Fauquier County requesting consideration of a boundary adjustment around the Town. The request includes 1,744 acres of mostly undeveloped land with very little explanation about the future planned use of those parcels. The largest area included in the request (to the south and east on the map provided), represents an “opportunity for the Town to expand its industrial use needs” which would allow for data centers with the approval of a Special Use Permit. We feel this major proposal to adjust the Town’s boundaries should be discussed openly in the Town and County Liaison Committee before the Board of Supervisors even considers initiating a public hearing. The Board will discuss initiating the boundary line adjustment agreement on August 11.

Fauquier County Board of Supervisors Meeting
Thursday, August 11 at 6:30 p.m.
10 Hotel Street, Warrenton

Dominion’s State Corporation Commission (SCC) Filing (Fall 2022)

Dominion may file their routing request with the State Corporation Commission prior to the Town of Warrenton making a decision on the Amazon Data Center. If this happens it will be imperative to make it clear to the SCC that the Town has not approved the data center which is the driver of the request.