PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – A Prince William County Circuit Court docket choose is listening to arguments in a lawsuit that would decide the way forward for what could develop into the biggest focus of information facilities on this planet.
The case facilities round whether or not county officers adopted correct procedures in approving the huge improvement. A lawsuit filed by the Oak Valley Owners Affiliation on behalf of a number of Gainesville residents is difficult the method, alleging that the county failed to supply sufficient public discover forward of a vital zoning vote.
Residents argue they first discovered in regards to the knowledge heart challenge by way of the media, not by way of official county communication. The plaintiffs say they weren’t given a good alternative to weigh in on the choice.
FOX 5 has discovered that further witnesses have been referred to as to the stand earlier than the listening to concluded Monday afternoon. The choose will now evaluate testimony and decide whether or not Prince William County met the authorized necessities for notifying residents and offering related supplies in the course of the approval course of.
What they’re saying:
In response to FOX 5’s request for remark, a county spokesperson acknowledged that Prince William County doesn’t touch upon energetic litigation.
Residents concerned within the lawsuit have expressed ongoing issues in regards to the challenge’s affect, together with potential will increase in noise, pressure on the facility grid, environmental results, and a drop in property values.
“It’s actually on the japanese border of my group, and it’s going to be the biggest knowledge heart on this planet, spitting out numerous smoke,” stated Gainesville resident Invoice Wright. “It’ll have a big affect on my high quality of life in my neighborhood.”
“If the choose finds in favor of the plaintiffs, it might reverse the zoning, and it must return to the Board of Supervisors,” stated Kathryn Kulick, Vice Chair of the HOA Roundtable of Northern Virginia. “So sure, it may cease it.”
What’s subsequent:
FOX 5 has discovered the choose will full listening to testimony Monday, ask the plaintiffs and the protection for summaries and make a willpower on the case within the coming days and weeks.
A follow-up listening to is scheduled to be held after mid-July for the ultimate resolution.
