A neighborhood in Ashburn, Virginia, is suddenly finding itself in the headlines after word got out homeowners were being offered $4 million each to sell for data center development. But some residents say that headline doesn’t at all represent an accurate picture of the quandry they face.
The Regency neighborhood just off Waxpool Road in Ashburn is beautiful this time of year: 143 spacious half-acre lots, open space, just blocks to the Metro and shopping. But here’s the problem: On two sides, the subdivision is flanked by data centers — and more are coming. There is noise, and those data centers can be an eyesore.
That led former HOA President Mital Gandhi, a real estate developer, to devise a plan. He found a data center developer who would pay roughly $4 million to buy out each homeowner. Kept mostly quiet for more than a year, the proposal was just spotlighted in a data center publication and then in a local paper, Inside Nova.
We spoke to at least a dozen residents about the proposal, but not one — including Gandhi — would agree to be interviewed on camera.
In a statement to News4, Gandhi wrote in part: “Our goal was to explore whether a true win-win-win solution existed — for our community, our county, and a responsible developer. Even when those opportunities arise, bringing 143 homeowners together is incredibly challenging given the human element involved.”
He says he’s continuing to see if all residents are willing to be on board.
Some homeowners told us the proposal has created friction in the neighborhood.
Others said the original proposal will not move forward because not enough residents could agree to its terms.
In a statement, Regency HOA President Kevin McCaughey said in part, “There is currently no offer to purchase the Regency homes for data center development. Any reports or rumors to the contrary are categorically inaccurate.”
Still, even some residents who said they’ve rejected the original proposal say they are open to other options. They say the quality of life in the dream homes they bought here 20 or 30 years ago is no longer the same with more data centers looming on their horizon.
One big hurdle to redevelopment: This area is still zoned residential. Any application to rezone to permit a data center would require every single homeowner to agree and sign on to the request.
Broad Run District Supervisor Sylvia Glass represents that area. Her office says she is aware Regency has received outreach from data center developers and she’s spoken to residents.
She added in a written statement: “I am not involved in any negotiations the community may be having and no rezoning application has been submitted to Loudoun County …. While redevelopment opportunities might exist for an area so close to the Ashburn Metro Station, the county’s comprehensive plan calls for housing, commercial, and civic uses on that land.”
McCaughey, the current HOA president, said in his statement: “We remain committed to a collaborative partnership with the County to ensure that all future land development is handled with the best interests of our residents and the broader community in mind.”
Gandhi — the former HOA president, who is still an active member of the community — said he viewed the effort as a unique opportunity to connect stakeholders and explore a large-scale, community-driven solution. While the outcome remains uncertain, he said new opportunities have since emerged and emphasized that he will continue to support the Loudoun community.
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