ROANOKE, Va. – Roanoke City Council unanimously passed a new ordinance Monday setting rules for where and how data centers can be built — getting ahead of potential development before any project is ever proposed.
The move comes as data centers continue to expand across Southwest Virginia, including a major Google facility in neighboring Botetourt County. City leaders say they wanted clear guidelines in place before a developer ever comes knocking.
The new ordinance limits data centers to certain zoning districts and sets construction standards covering landscaping, building design and noise. It also requires an analysis study examining potential impacts to the electrical grid, water supply and transportation…