Proposed data center Greenlin Park will deal with steep slopes

By Reed Carver

Greenlin Park, a potential data center, was discussed by the Planning Commission on May 28. The 81.17-acre property is owned by Chuck Kuhn through JK Land Holdings. It is located south of Leesburg, on the west side of Sycolin Road. Shreve Mill Road and the Dulles Greenway make up the other borders of this parcel.

This region, on the descent from Leesburg to Ashburn, (the Sycolin road corridor) was once the site of several early eighteenth-century mills, like Hogelands Mill. It was owned at that time by William Shreve, Jane D. Wildman, and William Cross. It was called the “mill tract,” and one branch of Sycolin Creek runs through the property on its way to Goose Creek.

Site details and concerns

As nation-wide companies like Amazon are shifting their focus to invest billions in the budding AI market, demand for data centers is still strong. The Sycolin Road corridor is increasingly being populated with data centers.

“It’s a core use in the place type, so, if not here, where?” Planning Commissioner Dale Polen Myers (At-Large) asked.

“My biggest concern is the road improvements,” said Commissioner Mark Miller, (Catoctin District) “and I want that to continue.” 

“As long as that’s what is accomplished, that’s what is supposed to go here.” Miller commented, referring to data centers. “Whether it was intended or not,” Sycolin Road has become a data center corridor, he said. 

The commissioners said that Sycolin Road is narrow, two lanes, and winding. They worried that as more drivers see it as an alternative to get from Ashburn to Leesburg, they will encounter construction traffic.

This site is more challenging for construction, because of the presence of steep slopes on the property, and the slopes have to be leveled out with fill dirt. 

According to topographical maps compiled by Wynne Saffer, typical elevations of the slopes vary from 275 to 400 feet, for a difference of 125 feet, between the creek level and the tops of the slopes.

The representative of the developer, Sasha Brauer with Walsh Colucci Lubeley & Walsh suggested in the meeting that they will mitigate the impacts to steep slopes by planting trees. Extensive re-grading will be needed. A civil engineer was present to discuss the water management, but the commissioners did not raise the topic that day. 

Gem Bingol with Piedmont Environmental Council was the only speaker from the public. She said the challenge with steep slopes is that the forest is the main thing holding poor soils up on the hills. She said slopes generally have poor soil, and if trees are removed, rampant erosion can result.

Some, like Jason Sheridan in a social media post have expressed concerns over the presence of mature oak trees, “likely 200+ years old,” that could be cut down.

Brauer said construction will leave over 12 acres of tree conservation area. She said they will also provide 50 percent of the land as open space.  

The commissioners were concerned about the fact that land under low power lines, as they ran from the substation to the center, was being factored as open space. “All the generators and stuff you want to do, keep it out of the woods,” Commissioner Ad Barnes (Leesburg) said. 

Another concern is the loss of habitat for the endangered Wood Turtle. A habitat study will need to be done to find any turtles, and understand the extent of the damage.

According to the staff report, “the proffered study … allows the applicant to exclude the County while conducting the habitat study, limits the ability of the County to ensure appropriate protective measures are implemented, and permits the applicant to delay any protective measures until after the property is cleared.”

Barnes recommended to move this application to the July 11 Work Session for further discussion, however, it was on the agenda for July 30.