The Warren County Board of Supervisors wants legal advice from the private attorney who advised the Front Royal Town Council on data-center prohibition. The Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to advertise the public hearing for proposed changes to the county zoning ordinance that, if approved, would allow data centers in the industrial district. The board plans to hold the hearing on Aug. 18, likely at one of the county public schools to accommodate the anticipated attendance and speakers. … However, Stanmeyer first made a motion to postpone authorizing the advertisement in order to give time for the supervisors to meet with the private attorney who advised the Front Royal Town Council on zoning restrictions for data centers. The attorney, not named at the board meeting, advised council members that they could prohibit data centers through the legislative process of amending the town zoning ordinance. … Front Royal Vice Mayor Amber F. Veitenthal said at a recent meeting that she and council members received legal advice from outside counsel. Veitenthal, who did not name the outside counsel, made a motion at the meeting to deny a proposed zoning amendment that would have allowed data centers in an industrial zone with performance standards.

Public Commentary on data centers dominated this week’s meeting of the Hillsville Town Council, as concerned citizens filled council chambers well beyond capacity even leaving some standing in the hallway. The council held two public hearings focusing on proposed additions to the town code, which would impose restrictions on data centers and solar farms. It soon became apparent that those attending Monday’s meeting were only interested in data centers. Before citizen commentary began, Town Attorney Trent Crewe stated that one must be a town resident to speak and that each speaker was limited to three minutes.

Virginians who were born in the state and later adopted can now more easily obtain their original birth certificates under a new state law. Virginia was previously one of 15 states with sealed adoption records, limiting public access to original birth certificates and other adoption documents. Under the new law, eligible adoptees can request a copy of their original birth certificate by presenting a valid form of identification and paying a $15 fee. Virginia State Registrar Seth Austin said the change is giving many people a more direct path to learning about their personal history. … Austin said more than 150 people requested copies of their original birth certificates within the first two weeks after the law took effect.