Worcester County approves one-year moratorium on data centers, cable landings

Worcester County Commissioners in Maryland have unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on data centers and cable landing facilities. The decision, made in Snow Hill, will allow county staff to develop updated zoning regulations for these types of projects, effectively halting the progress of all current and future proposals during this period.

The moratorium was enacted following months of discussion, particularly concerning a proposed Globalinx cable landing station near the Ocean City Municipal Airport. Worcester County staff had previously determined that the Globalinx facility did not qualify as a public utility and was therefore not permitted under the property's C-2 zoning. Globalinx is currently appealing this determination through the county Board of Zoning Appeals.

Commissioner Eric Fiori, who originally advocated for a permanent ban on such facilities, proposed the temporary moratorium to provide officials more time to study the potential impacts. Fiori cited concerns about the significant demands data centers and cable landing facilities could place on the county's water, sewer capacity, and land resources, questioning whether the economic benefits, such as jobs and tax revenue, would outweigh these infrastructure and environmental costs.

Opponents of the Globalinx project, including the Assateague Coastal Community Coalition, plan to use the moratorium period to gather and present additional information regarding potential noise, air, water, light, and wildlife impacts. Coalition member Wendie Green expressed the group's hope for a permanent countywide ban on these facilities.