📍 Warren County Government Center
📅 January 20, 2026
📄 Agenda Item E.4 – CUP2025-11-04
444 Baugh Drive – Contractor Storage Yard (Approved)

A Focused Exchange from the January 20, 2026 Public Hearing

On January 20, 2026, the Warren County Board of Supervisors held a public hearing on Conditional Use Permit (CUP) 2025-11-04 for a proposed contractor storage yard at 444 Baugh Drive in the North River District.

The broader proposal includes:

• A 328,600 square foot warehouse
• Two outdoor storage yards
• Approximately 71 acres zoned Industrial

Indoor warehousing is permitted by-right in the Industrial district. Outdoor storage of contractors’ equipment, however, requires a Conditional Use Permit.

This post highlights a brief exchange during the hearing that centered on a single word that often carries weight in land-use discussions: data centers.

Why the Term “Data Center” Matters

Early in the presentation, the developer referenced equipment related to data center construction. Supervisor Cheryl Cullers asked for clarification — specifically, what kind of “data center equipment” was being discussed.

The applicant’s attorney clarified that the outdoor storage would primarily consist of electrical equipment — components staged prior to installation at end locations. The proposal includes both indoor and outdoor storage options depending on the equipment type.

The distinction matters because large-scale data center development carries infrastructure implications — traffic, utilities, staging logistics, and long-term land use intensity.

Even when the use is technically categorized as “contractor storage,” references to data center-related equipment understandably prompt follow-up questions.

Traffic and Road Geometry Concerns

During my public comment, I raised concerns about:

• Semi-truck traffic entering and exiting the site
• Sharp curves and grade along Baugh Drive
• Sight distance limitations
• The possibility of large-scale trailer staging or overflow activity

Baugh Drive is not a straight industrial boulevard. It has curvature and grade changes that naturally raise visibility and turning questions when heavy truck traffic is introduced.

In response, the project engineer acknowledged:

• Likely evaluation of turn lane warrants
• Potential right-turn improvements
• Steep grades in the area
• Sight distance and safety considerations to be addressed during site plan review

The CUP was ultimately approved by the Board.

Why This Clip Is Worth Archiving

Public hearings often span hours. Important clarifications can occur in short, concentrated exchanges.

This clip captures:

• A supervisor asking for definitional clarity
• The applicant explaining scope
• A citizen raising traffic and staging concerns
• An engineer responding on roadway and safety considerations

Regardless of one’s position on the project, these moments help document how issues are framed and addressed in real time.

As future development moves from concept to site plan, these discussions form part of the public record.

Transcript

John Mason – Lingerfelt Development

0:00 Uh, I know there’s mention here of data
0:03 center construction folks. That happens
0:05 to be a trend we’re seeing, but it’s not
0:07 limited to that.

Supervisor Cheryl Cullers – Question

0:08 I don’t know how,
0:10 you know, when I looked at the list of
0:12 things listed, um,
0:14 I don’t know what parts you’re talking
0:18 about when it’s it specified like for u
0:22 data center um, parts or whatever. So,

Ashley Kyle – Response

0:27 so, so that would primarily be
0:29 electrical equipment. Um, and this setup
0:34 is is attractive because we’ve got
0:36 indoor and outdoor options
0:40 um to store some equipment that’s more
0:42 appropriate to be stored indoors in
0:44 terms of the temperature control and
0:45 everything and then other equipment that
0:47 can be stored outdoors um which is a
0:50 different price point. Um, so that’s
0:53 what primarily data center equipment
0:55 could be is mostly just electrical
0:58 equipment.

Lewis Moten – Public Comment

0:59 Hello, my name is Lewis Motton from the
1:01 North River District. Um, my concern was
1:04 that one of the first things he brought
1:05 up was mentioning data centers. Uh, and
1:09 I’m not too clear on his response when
1:11 you asked him about the what that was
1:14 about with uh outdoor electrical
1:15 equipment. Um, but when I was looking at
1:19 the the road as well, I was thinking
1:21 about um semis coming in there with
1:24 equipment. It looked like some sharp
1:26 turns. I’m sure they’ve already worked
1:28 that out and it’s probably normal. Um,
1:32 but what I was seeing is a potential
1:34 like overflow site for the rail line or
1:36 something to just bring a lot of uh
1:38 trailers in, park them when they they
1:40 need them, and that would bring
1:43 additional traffic that was unexpected
1:45 all at once. Thank you.
1:47 And we recognize that because of the

Malachi Mills – Engineering Response

1:50 trucks that are likely to be coming and
1:52 going, um, we’re going to likely, you
1:55 know, need need turn lane warrants and
1:58 probably provide right turns. um the the
2:01 particular positioning and and how Ball
2:03 Drive is there’s a fairly steep grade
2:07 and um in that curve where there is a
2:10 concern about sight distance and all and
2:12 safety