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.