Data center lawsuit alleges Frederick County executive put politics ahead of development
Quantum Maryland LLC sued Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater, Frederick County and the county Planning Commission, alleging that an election-driven halt to data center applications unlawfully blocked its Frederick County project and jeopardized a deal worth more than $500 million. The county executive says the moratorium was intended to protect residents, while Quantum is asking the court to invalidate it, restore the development approval process and award damages.
Quantum Maryland LLC filed a lawsuit in Frederick County Circuit Court against County Executive Jessica Fitzwater, Frederick County and the county Planning Commission. The developer alleges Fitzwater exceeded her authority by halting data center applications after the County Council had approved zoning legislation, and claims her actions were motivated by reelection concerns. The complaint says a proposed land transaction tied to the project was worth more than $500 million and collapsed after the county rejected a proposed $110 million community-benefits agreement.
Fitzwater has defended the moratorium as a measure to protect Frederick County residents and called the lawsuit inaccurate. She ordered county staff to stop accepting or processing new data center applications through 2026 and later extended the moratorium through July 1, 2027. Quantum, managed by Catellus Maryland, is seeking to invalidate the moratorium, regain access to the county approval process and recover damages while maintaining that it wants to redevelop the former Eastalco industrial property.