(The Center Square) – Botetourt County supervisors in Virginia voted Tuesday to create an independent commission to review the proposed Google data center after hours of public comment over who should lead the study and what questions it should answer.
The measure passed 3-1, with Supervisors Walter Michael, Brandon Nicely and Tim Snyder voting in favor, Linda Rottman voting against and Chairman Dr. Mac Scothorn absent.
The five-member commission will study the proposed project’s potential effects on the county, including infrastructure, utility resources, the environment and quality of life. It will submit a written report to the Board of Supervisors detailing its findings, the information it reviewed and an accounting of its expenditures.
Members will serve without compensation and cannot be affiliated with Botetourt County government or have a personal or immediate family financial interest in Google, the data center industry or organizations with a direct interest in the project.
Commission members also must have the education, training, knowledge or professional experience needed to conduct an impartial review.
The vote followed hours of public comment, with many residents urging supervisors to let the Planning Commission oversee the review instead of creating a separate board-appointed commission.
“I don’t trust your decision to select people on your own to form this committee to look into the water situation,” resident Judy Wilhelm told the board.
Rottman also argued the Planning Commission should lead the effort, saying residents had overwhelmingly supported that approach during public comment.
Supporters of the new commission said a panel made up of qualified members without ties to the county, Google or the data center industry would provide an independent review.
Google plans a three-building data center campus at the Botetourt Center at Greenfield. The project has generated months of debate over water demand, noise, infrastructure, environmental impacts and the county’s handling of the approval process.
The commission will have six months after members are appointed to complete its work and submit a final report, although the Board of Supervisors may extend the timeline if needed.
Meetings will be open to the public unless otherwise allowed by Virginia law, with minutes posted publicly. The commission also is encouraged to livestream meetings and provide regular public updates.
The Board of Supervisors will determine the commission’s funding after a chairman is appointed.
