As data center debate continues in Baltimore County, Jones faces questions over past vote
Baltimore County is preparing to vote on extending its data center moratorium, with Councilman Julian Jones facing scrutiny over his 2024 support for zoning that directed data center development toward predominantly Black communities. Residents express concerns about environmental and infrastructure impacts, as well as potential disproportionate effects on marginalized areas. Jones now states he supports the moratorium extension due to public sentiment.
Baltimore County is set to vote on September 21 on extending its moratorium on data center development, a decision drawing renewed attention to Councilman Julian Jones (D-District 4). Jones, who is favored to become the next county executive, is facing questions from constituents, including Woodlawn resident Venetia Bell, regarding his 2024 support for Bill 54-24. This legislation, which passed the Baltimore County Council 6-1, established zoning regulations that largely confined data center development to areas east of Pulaski Highway or south of Liberty Road, including several predominantly Black communities such as Randallstown, Lochearn, Milford Mill, and Woodlawn.
Bell and other residents voice concerns about the potential environmental and infrastructure strains, including increased electricity and water usage, air pollution, noise, and depressed property values, disproportionately affecting these communities. She questioned whether the legislation intentionally steered development away from affluent, majority-white areas. A year after Bill 54-24 passed, a proposal for a 150-megawatt data center at the former Social Security Administration headquarters in Woodlawn further highlighted these concerns.
Councilman Jones maintains that "the public has no appetite" for data center development at this time and supports extending the county's moratorium, which began in February 2026 and is set to continue until January 1, 2027. He explained that Bill 54-24's primary focus was battery storage zoning, and data centers "were not on the radar at that time," denying any intent to target marginalized communities. Jones emphasized his commitment to balancing economic growth with community needs, citing his 12 years of experience as a councilman. The Baltimore County Planning Board is tasked with evaluating data centers' impacts on water usage, energy consumption, and electricity costs.