Decide on Approval Pathway
Conditional/Special Use Permit
Dedicated Zoning or Overlay District
By Right
Fastest approvals and greatest certainty for applicants
Allows case-by-case review of local impacts
Tailors standards to data center-specific impacts
Least flexibility to address site-specific impacts
More flexibility, but less predictability for applicants
Most proactive and comprehensive planning approach
Works best in carefully chosen areas
Decisions can become political and inconsistent
Takes more time and effort upfront
Loudoun County Example: how the approach evolved
Before 2014 → OFFICE USE SEPARATE USE 2014
2025 SPEX REVIEW
How you define the use determines where it belongs and whether it should be reviewed by right or case by case.