PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — The data center moratorium is on the agenda for the April 7 Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting for the first time since Commissioner Mike Hart proposed it at the March 3 meeting.
Hart proposed the moratorium in response to the presentation by AWS on a potential data center in Lusby, which is part of Hart’s district, District 1. The BOCC approved the motion to initiate the process of establishing a moratorium but did not vote yes or no on it.
According to a memo on the agenda submitted by Planning and Zoning Director Jason Brinkley, the discussion on April 7 will revolve around the process for creating the moratorium and moving it forward to inform the board and the public.
Planning and Zoning will draft the moratorium and request for the BOCC to provide guidance on ordinance language, the justification and intent of the proposed moratorium, the duration of the moratorium and the scope of actions and approvals to be prohibited.
Planning and Zoning’s presentation will discuss the process in more detail.
Hart’s original suggestion for the moratorium was to put an immediate, 24-month moratorium on “any approvals, permits, rezoning, plans, construction, authorizations or any other official acts related to a data center development, until a comprehensive environmental study evaluating land, water, and air impacts is completed and formally presented to the public.”
So far, two companies, Amazon AWS and Natelli Holdings, have been in discussion with the county regarding data centers.
Got a tip or photo? Text us at 888-871-NEWS (6397) or email news@thebaynet.com.
Join The BayNet Membership for exclusive perks and zero ads.
Don’t miss a story—sign up for our newsletter!
Thank you so much for your reporting on data centers as yours are the only notifications I’ve seen. I have not seen any road signs regarding data centers. I’ve spoken with many residents and not one of them agrees to data centers in Calvert County as there are no advantages for the residents and only disadvantages with the environmental, air, noise and water pollution including dropping property values as No One wants to live near data center. The 400 foot rule is joke. Save The Bay is also a big concern. I suggest the commissioners take a trip out to Loudoun County to experience what they are getting us into which is not good. Seems this has been a plan for a few years now since they obviously changed the zoning. Last month’s presentation was highly organized as they included several Union’s input along with fairly detailed plans. As of 2024, there are 5,281 U.S. data centers. That’s 107 per state. Why do we need more and one here? The sales pitch was that it would help local businesses. Don’t know what businesses need help as they have access to the cloud now. They said they would hire local workers. Statistics show they bring their own workers from all over the country as it’s easier than train locals. Construction jobs are temporary in nature! We say NO to data centers! Most people that live here work outside the county by choice. If I wanted to live next to my job I would. We live here for the peace and quiet. Many are now spending more tax dollars in the County by working from home. Interestingly, a larger Walmart, Target or Home Depot were not allowed here, but the Commissioners have apparently reached out to dirty, noisy visually unappealing data centers. If they want high tech, then by all means go live in Loudoun county as there are many homes for sale there next to a data center. This County is 14 miles wide by 26 miles long. Let’s keep this gem rural and exclusive with it’s beautiful unencumbered rolling hills next to our precious bay. We don’t need data centers here!