Wyndham Hosts Valuable Information Meeting on Data Centers

On 10/21, the Wyndham HOA and Smart Development Task force hosted a community meeting about data centers. The Shady Grove Elementary School gym was packed with residents who attended to learn and share comments and concerns.

The Smart Development Task Force comprises resident volunteers with relevant subject matter expertise. Their role is to research, inform, and listen as they address the high volume of development projects impacting the Wyndham area. The 10/21 meeting focused on developer HHHunt’s proposal for Hunting Hawk Technology Park, which would involve 410 acres in Hanover County that are adjacent to Wyndham.

Three Chopt District Supervisor Misty Roundtree, Delegate David Owen, and Rachel Levy, Chief of Staff for Senator Schuyler VanValkenburg, attended to listen and support residents.

Meeting summary

Using publicly available sources, the task force presented information about data centers in general and the Hunting Hawk Technology park in particular. The discussion included the pros (e.g., jobs, tax revenue) and cons (e.g., environmental damage, traffic problems) of development in general. The task force noted that “Smart development is a balancing act.”

The task force provided a demonstration of what it sounds like to live adjacent to a data center. They also shared information about the well-documented health impacts of air pollution on adults and children.

Other concerns include:

• water usage/pollution (e.g., damage to the Chickahominy headwaters and local aquifier)
• safety/security: hyperscale data centers house highly sensitive government and corporate data, making them targets for terrorism/espionage
• fire/disaster: hyperscale data centers are a high fire risk because of the heat generated and fuel storage. They’re also prone to damage during natural disasters
• traffic studies show Ashland Road at Pouncey Tract is already at capacity even before the completion of the Amazon project in Goochland. This project is estimated to add 2900+ trips per day to an overwhelmed roadway
• higher utility bills
• technology obsolescence, i.e., risk of abandonment

Next, the task force reviewed the Hanover County Government process and explained where public feedback is incorporated. Exact timelines depend on when a developer starts the process with an “applicant meeting” and resident notification. The HHHunt applicant meeting is tentatively scheduled for 11/17/25 (time and location TBA).

The task force then outlined how concerned residents can take action:

• write feedback to the Board of Supervisors
• attend public meetings
• volunteer to assist the task force
• stay informed
• connect with neighbors and local advocacy groups

During the resident comment part of the meeting, the task force acknowledged residents’ anger and fear while also encouraging them to arm themselves with information so they could more effectively engage in the process.

Residents asked insightful questions and made suggestions. Several local advocacy groups introduced themselves and handed out flyers. The general feeling was that residents left the meeting better informed as well as empowered.

CBS 6 News attended and reported on resident opposition to the proposal.