Easton to draft one-year moratorium on data centers
The Easton Town Council instructed its legal team to draft a one-year data center moratorium to proactively evaluate potential impacts on land use, utilities, electricity, and water. This preventative measure follows a nearby municipality's decision to enact a moratorium due to resident backlash against a developer's interest. The moratorium aims to provide time for the town to coordinate with the county on future data center policies.
The Easton Town Council has directed its legal team to draft a one-year moratorium on data center development within town limits. Council President Don Abbatiello initiated the measure, emphasizing the need for proactive evaluation of potential impacts on land use, utility infrastructure, electricity demands, water consumption, and quality of life, even though no specific data center proposals are currently before the town.
This decision follows recent developments in the nearby municipality of Federalsburg, where a developer was reported to be considering a data center site. Federalsburg recently passed a three-year data center moratorium in response to significant resident backlash. The proposed one-year pause in Easton would allow the town to study these issues comprehensively and work with the Talbot County Council to establish coordinated policies for future data center development. The Talbot County Council currently has no moratorium in progress. The drafted legislation will require a vote by the Easton Town Council for enactment.