Montgomery County Leaders Propose Ban on Hyperscale Data Centers
Montgomery County leaders have proposed a new legislative strategy for data center development, aiming to codify an existing six-month moratorium and implement zoning restrictions on hyperscale facilities. The Economic Development Committee will review two moratorium bills on July 22, with a potential vote by the full County Council on July 28. Concurrently, the Planning, Housing and Parks Committee will review a zoning amendment to prohibit hyperscale data centers.
Montgomery County Council President Natali Fani-González, Vice President Marilyn Balcombe, and Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles have announced a significant legislative initiative targeting data center development within Montgomery County, Maryland. The proposal seeks to formalize the county's current six-month moratorium on data center construction while simultaneously advancing new zoning restrictions specifically aimed at hyperscale facilities.
The Economic Development Committee is scheduled to convene on July 22 to deliberate on two distinct data center moratorium bills. Should either of these bills gain approval at the committee stage, they would then proceed to the full County Council for a vote, potentially as early as July 28.
On the same day, the Planning, Housing and Parks Committee will undertake a review of a proposed amendment to Zoning Text Amendment 26-01. This amendment, if adopted, would institute a county-wide prohibition on hyperscale data centers across all zoning districts. This immediate measure is intended to provide a regulatory framework while county officials continue to develop more comprehensive, long-term regulations for data center development.