CaseLock Community Investigation

Petersburg, Virginia
Data Center Pipeline Investigation

Petersburg, Virginia · July 26, 2026

Four data-center projects totaling roughly 397 acres are advancing through Petersburg's industrial districts. In 2024 the City amended its zoning code (Ordinance 24-ZTA-07) to allow data centers by-right in M-1/M-2 industrial districts — meaning no public hearing is required before construction.

4 Data CentersBy-Right ZoningWater Risk

Read the Petersburg Investigation (PDF)

The Four Projects

Project	Status / Notes
NuVu Real Estate	Data center — M-1 industrial, by-right under Ordinance 24-ZTA-07
Menlo Digital	Data center — M-1/M-2 industrial district
Wagner Properties / GFYA	Data center — by-right, no public hearing required
Warrenton Group / TWG	Data center — by-right, no public hearing required

Combined footprint: ~397 acres. All four sit in industrial districts rezoned by-right in 2024, so none triggered a public hearing.

By-Right Zoning (Ordinance 24-ZTA-07)

No Public Hearing Required

In 2024 Petersburg amended its zoning ordinance to permit data centers by-right in M-1 and M-2 industrial districts. The practical effect: a developer can build without a discretionary review, a conditional-use permit, or a public hearing — removing the main forum residents had to object.

Water — ARWA / Lake Chesdin

Appomattox River Water Authority

Water Authority

Appomattox River Water Authority (ARWA) — Lake Chesdin

Permitted Capacity

96 MGD

Current Output

~33 MGD

Pool Level

1.5 inches below full

Google Permit Request

30 MGD

Risk

Four new data-center loads layered on top of a 30 MGD Google draw

The system is already drawing only ~33 MGD against a 96 MGD permit with the pool 1.5 inches low — and Google alone has requested a 30 MGD allocation. Layering four new data-center loads on top raises the risk of a supply shortfall during drought.

City Officials

Mayor Parham

Mayor, City of Petersburg

Arnold Westbrook Jr.

City official named in the investigation

Jeff Stoke

City official named in the investigation

Jared Crews

City official named in the investigation

Named in the July 26, 2026 investigation. Contact the Petersburg City Clerk's office to request meeting minutes and public records.

Community Opposition

Ramblewood Neighborhood

Residents nearest the pipeline organizing against the by-right approvals.

Nathan Howard

Community organizer raising water-supply and zoning concerns.

Scott Perkins

Resident advocate tracking the four-project pipeline.

Petersburg on the Map

For development purposes only

For development purposes only

For development purposes only

For development purposes only

For development purposes only

For development purposes only

For development purposes only

For development purposes only

For development purposes only

For development purposes only

For development purposes only

For development purposes only

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Download the Petersburg Investigation (PDF)

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