Northern Virginia is now the primary location of the data center industry. These facilities are essential to the way in which we conduct business, learn and live our lives. They are also a source of employment and tax revenue. While for these reasons MCA does not oppose data centers, per se, it believes that, without additional regulations, they can be harmful to the environment and to the character of our communities.

In its letter addressing the proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendment on data centers scheduled for public hearing before the Planning Commission on June 5, 2024, MCA detailed its general support for the Board of Supervisors' efforts to strengthen the current regulations concerning data centers and County Staff's May 17th Staff Report, and offered the following suggestions:

• Data centers explicitly should not be permitted in Planned Residential Community (PRC) Districts (shown as Option 1 in the Staff Report);
  
• The standard setback for data centers from residential areas should be at least 250 feet, with consideration given for the impact on residential areas (Staff recommended 200 feet, with an option of up to 500 feet);
  
• The minimum distance from Metro stations should be set to protect the integrity of residential areas (Staff recommended one-half mile, with an option for one mile);
  
• Repurposing should not be used as a justification for centers with sizes that exceed the relevant District size limits (Staff recommended as an option that greater size may be allowed when data centers are located in existing buildings).
  

In addition, MCA's letter identified other concerns that cannot be remedied in a zoning ordinance amendment:

• Increased electricity demand 
• Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) 
• Water Quality
  

The letter urged the County to address these issues to the extent possible through the Countywide Policy Plan amendment to the Comprehensive Plan that is getting underway. The letter also acknowledges that some issues related to data centers will need to be addressed at the state level and urges the Board to request that our representatives in Richmond support bills that will address them.

MCA Letter Endorses Proposed For-Sale Workforce Dwelling Unit Program Amendments

--MCA supports replacing the top WDU bracket of 120% Average Median Income (AMI) with a bracket for 70% AMI and below because this change recognizes both the difficulty of selling units that compete directly with market-rate units as well as the need for more affordable units.

--MCA supports increasing the availability of affordable family-sized (three bedroom and up) units because it will make the program more likely to meet the needs of families.

--MCA supports expanding the WDU program beyond designated mixed-use centers to those with similar density because there are many developments with 8 dwelling units per acre located near mixed-use centers that could easily be part of the program.

MCA also backed Staff’s recommendation that the Merrifield plan restriction on accepting monetary contributions in lieu of providing WDUs be extended to apply to the Tysons plan; MCA feels strongly that cash contributions should only be accepted from a developer proposing to build in Tysons if the developer can show that the provision of WDUs is not feasible.

The Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Committee reviews McLean area land use permit applications that are scheduled to be heard by the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors or the Board of Zoning Appeals. The Committee also reviews proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and the Comprehensive Plans for McLean and Tysons. As the MCA committee that submits the largest number of resolutions and letters for approval by the MCA Board, P&Z reviews, analyzes and makes recommendations on issues impacting McLean area residents’ quality of life.

P&Z Case Managers -- typically two per case, with a more experienced member assisting a newer member -- are guided by respect for the rights of all stakeholders and current policies of Fairfax County and the Commonwealth. P&Z usually does not consider cases that involve “by-right development,” though it may monitor these cases in order to keep MCA informed about their progress. Case Managers participate in meetings with applicants, community members and Fairfax County land use staff. They are guided by the County’s Comprehensive Plans and the Zoning Ordinance but are open to consideration of reasonable requests for comprehensive plan amendments, waivers and/or modifications that are beneficial to the community.

In recommending positions for approval by the MCA Board, P&Z proposes letters and resolutions based on facts and reasoned assessment and analysis. Cases reviewed since this time last year include:

• Converge at West Falls Church rezoning
  
• Parking Reimagined initiative
  
• 2000 Corporate Ridge office to residential conversion
• Tysons Corner Center mixed-use rezoning
  
• Astoria residential building in downtown McLean
  
• Mars headquarters expansion
  
• Sign Regulation Zoning Ordinance Amendment
  
• Landscaping and Screening Zoning Ordinance Amendment
  
• Senate Bill 544: Short-term rentals of accessory dwelling units
  
• Arbor Row Block C2 Condominium
  
• Hilton Hotel at Scotts Run 
• McLean Professional Park
• Washington Gas Pipeline in Pimmit Hills
  
• Limits on Data Centers (article at left)
• Amendments to Workforce Dwelling Unit Program (article at left)
  

Captain Brad Libby, Assistant Commander, and MPO Carolyn Beyer, Crime Prevention Officer, McLean District Police Station, shared crime and safety information, including the following:

• With 1,492 sworn positions and 138 vacancies county-wide, staffing continues to be a challenge, though there are reasons for optimism, including recent academy graduating classes;
• Fairfax County continues to be the safest jurisdiction out of the country’s 70 largest cities and counties;

• McLean District is now partnering with several area HOAs who have agreed to provide real-time access to security cameras and automated license plate readers to assist with crime investigations;

• Shoplifting incidents with apprehensions are up 46% since 2019, due largely to the strength of the Tysons Corner team;
• The County’s Road Shark initiative periodically increases police visibility and enforcement of laws against aggressive and unsafe driving.

Our local first responders answered attendees’ questions about scams, noisy vehicles, the prospect of a casino in Tysons, and more. The meeting video is available here.