Government: Town of Front Royal, Virginia
Body: Town Council
Date: June 22, 2026, 7:00 PM
Location: Warren County Government Center
Type: Regular Meeting
Timestamp: 03:51:41
Duration: 1:43
During the Town of Front Royal’s June 22, 2026 public hearing on proposed Data Center Zoning Text Amendments, I spoke near the end of a long night of public comment. More than 100 citizens addressed Council, with the meeting beginning at 7:00 PM and my turn to speak coming around 11:20 PM. The final vote did not occur until after midnight.
Many speakers focused on why they opposed data centers in Front Royal. I took a slightly different approach by focusing on the ordinance language itself. My concern was that even a well-intended ordinance could leave legal weaknesses, vague standards, or loopholes that future applicants might use to force projects through.
I urged Council to make any Special Use Permit a true hard gate, not a soft pathway or rubber stamp. I also asked that the definition of data centers be broad enough to cover AI computing, cryptocurrency mining, modular container units, telecommunications switching, multiple server buildings, and other industrial-scale server operations that might otherwise slip through narrow wording.
I also raised concerns about phrases such as “where possible,” “good-faith effort,” and “temporary water use by agreement.” Language like that may sound reasonable, but it can become an escape hatch if the ordinance is later challenged or interpreted too loosely.
My goal was not to help data centers get approved. It was to help the Town close loopholes before they could be used, protect the community, and reduce future legal risks while creating policy that is clear, durable, and enforceable.
Transcript (auto-generated)
Mayor Lori Cockrell: Lewis, you haven’t spoken about this one, right?
Lewis Moten: No. And I think you skipped over another hearing for calling to the public earlier.
Mayor Lori Cockrell: You, But you haven’t spoken about the…
Lewis Moten: not the data center.
Mayor Lori Cockrell: That’s what I thought.
Lewis Moten: not the data center. I’m ready.
Mayor Lori Cockrell: He spoke about the others. All right. Go.
Comment Begins
Lewis Moten: so my name is Lewis Moten. I live at 1132 Kesler Road.
My concerns is – I think everybody’s pretty much on one position here. If you go through with a CUP, it needs to be a hard gate, not a soft pathway to get online.
And basically the definition matters. It should cover AO compute, crypto mining, modular container units, telecom switching, multiple server buildings, industrial scale server operations without leaving the loopholes.
I don’t like phrases in this that say “where possible”, “good faith effort” or “temporary water use by agreement”. They feel like they could be an escape hatch because it’s not definite. You’re leaving the window open.
Don’t make it by right, but don’t make it a rubber stamp either.
I think we’re all trying to make sure the data centers can’t come through while protecting legal liability.
So do what you can not to have them come here. Thank you.
Mayor Lori Cockrell: Thank you, Lewis.
