Wythe County Residents Debate Potential Zoning Ordinances

Residents call for more community input on development projects as county considers adopting zoning rules for the first time in years.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 1:50am

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A serene, nostalgic painting of a lone farmhouse or barn set against a rolling rural landscape, with warm sunlight casting long shadows across the scene, conceptually representing the tension between development and preserving the county's agricultural identity.As Wythe County debates new zoning rules, residents seek to preserve the county's agricultural heritage and rural character in the face of encroaching development.Fort Chiswell Today

Some Wythe County, Virginia residents are pushing for stronger land-use regulations as the county considers adopting zoning ordinances for the first time in years. The proposal comes after a recent announcement by Solis Arx to develop a 99-acre AI computing campus in the county, which drew criticism from residents who said they had little opportunity to provide input. County officials say the lack of zoning has contributed to frustration, and they are now holding public meetings to gather feedback on potential new zoning rules.

Why it matters

Wythe County is one of the few localities in Virginia without any zoning ordinances, which has allowed development projects like the Solis Arx data center to move forward with minimal community input. Residents are now pushing for more control over what types of projects can come to their area, especially those that could have a significant long-term impact.

The details

At a public meeting, county officials explained that the goal of potential zoning ordinances is not to prevent development, but to better manage how it happens. However, some residents argued the current proposal would still allow projects to be approved 'by right' without public hearings. Former Supervisor Andy Kegley said he wants to see the ordinance changed to require special use permits, which would mandate public input. County officials said there will be at least two more public meetings before the Board of Supervisors decides whether to adopt any new zoning rules.

  • In December 2025, Solis Arx announced plans for a 99-acre AI computing campus in Wythe County.
  • On March 31, 2026, the county held a public meeting at Fort Chiswell High School to discuss potential zoning ordinances.

The players

Wythe County

A county in Virginia that is currently considering adopting its first zoning ordinances in years.

Solis Arx

A company that announced plans in December 2025 to develop a 99-acre, multi-phase AI computing campus in Wythe County's Progress Park.

Andy Kegley

A former member of the Wythe County Board of Supervisors who served in the late 1990s and believes changes are needed to the current zoning ordinance proposal.

Matthew Hankins

The Deputy County Administrator of Wythe County, who stated that the goal of potential zoning ordinances is to manage development, not prevent it.

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What they’re saying

“It's the farming land. This is where food comes from. If it's gone, it's gone.”

— Wythe County Resident

“No one knew anything about it, citizens had no input, and that's what started it. We want to have a little bit of control of what comes into our community, and it's going to have a big footprint for years to come.”

— Wythe County Resident

“We're not trying to keep anybody from developing here. We're just trying to manage how that development happens.”

— Matthew Hankins, Deputy County Administrator

“The way the ordinance is written today, you could build it by right. We want them to change it from by right to special use permit, which would at least require a public hearing — which is more than we've gotten so far.”

— Andy Kegley, Former Board of Supervisors Member

What’s next

County officials said there should be at least two more public interest meetings before the Board of Supervisors decides whether to adopt any zoning ordinances.

The takeaway

This debate over zoning rules in Wythe County highlights the tension between economic development and community input, as residents push for more control over projects that could significantly impact their rural, agricultural area. The outcome of these zoning discussions will shape the future growth and character of the county.