Talbot County commissioners sued by residents who claim no notice on data center ordinance

Talbot County residents Ronnie Wilson and Lauren McCarley, along with WCR LLC, have filed a lawsuit against five Talbot County commissioners in Talbot County Superior Court. The plaintiffs allege the county improperly amended its zoning ordinance on July 6 to include provisions for data centers and hyperscale data centers without adhering to proper public notice, hearing, or planning commission review procedures.

The lawsuit claims this procedural failing undermines due process and could lead to significant harm to residents, particularly if hyperscale data centers are built on nearby agricultural land. Concerns raised include continuous industrial noise, generator emissions, light pollution, increased heavy-vehicle traffic, risks to groundwater and well-water supply, and a loss of rural character, all of which could diminish property values and residents' quality of life. McCarley specifically highlighted the potential impact on her livestock and farm operations, which rely on well water.

The plaintiffs are seeking judicial action to void the text amendment, prohibit the county from processing any data center permits, or compel the county to properly redo the ordinance amendment process. This legal challenge follows a similar lawsuit filed by Ronnie Wilson against the Columbus Council in Muscogee County regarding a technology overlay ordinance, underscoring a broader concern among some property owners about data center development in the region. The named commissioners have not yet responded to inquiries.