Grayson County Planning Commission 9/15/2026

The Grayson County Planning Commission meeting on September 15, 2026, focused extensively on land use and zoning policies related to data centers and family subdivisions. Key procurement-related discussions included the consideration of requiring special use permits for standalone data centers limited to industrial zones, with emphasis on evaluating infrastructure needs such as water, electricity, road access, and environmental impacts. The commission discussed imposing measurable protections including noise studies, water usage disclosures, setbacks, and financial assurances like security deposits or bonds to mitigate risks and ensure developers bear decommissioning costs. They also deliberated on subdivision ordinance updates, particularly the legal holding periods for family subdivisions, with a consensus to align with Virginia code requiring a 15-year ownership period before subdivision, subject to waivers for hardship circumstances. The commission agreed to proceed with public hearings on the updated subdivision ordinance and zoning regulations, aiming to integrate new state laws and comprehensive policies addressing data center development and infrastructure requirements. They planned to seek further direction from the Board of Supervisors to guide final policy formulation and ordinance drafting.