October 19, 2026 New Kent County Planning Commission Meeting

The October 19, 2026 New Kent County Planning Commission meeting included an informational presentation and work-session discussion of draft data center performance standards. Staff said the Board of Supervisors had directed development of the standards and that no data center applications are pending. The draft would limit data centers to industrial-zoned land through a conditional use permit and establish application, siting, setback, buffer, open-space, noise, water-use, generator, decommissioning, financial-assurance, and post-construction reporting requirements. Commissioners and residents raised concerns about community impacts, transparency, water and power use, noise, transmission lines, and enforcement; commissioners suggested revisions and additional studies. Staff plans to provide a map of potentially eligible industrial land and wait for the state’s data-center planning toolkit before advancing public hearings. No vote was taken on the draft standards; the commission only approved the prior meeting’s minutes, with one abstention.

On procurement, staff reported that the county’s on-call engineering contracts are out for bid as existing contracts approach expiration, and that staff is considering adding an acoustical consultant to the roster to independently review noise studies and conduct follow-up assessments. Staff said the applicant would cover the cost of such reviews. No contract award, vendor selection, or spending approval occurred. The commission also discussed requiring applicants to hold at least two community meetings and provide additional analyses and permit information; these were suggestions for the draft, not adopted requirements.