Baltimore County report on data centers urges strict limits, tough regulations
A Baltimore County staff report recommends strict limits and tough regulations for data centers if the current moratorium is lifted. These recommendations include conditional approvals, industrial area limits, and significant setbacks from residential zones. The County Council and Planning Board will review the report and decide on new zoning rules or extending the moratorium later this year.
A Baltimore County staff report has put forth stringent recommendations for data center development, which will be considered by county lawmakers. The report suggests that if the current moratorium, set to expire on January 1, 2027, is lifted, data center approvals should be conditional rather than by-right, limited to industrial zones, and kept away from residential and agricultural areas. Among the proposed regulations are mandating 750-foot setbacks from homes and 500-foot setbacks from schools, parks, and daycares.
The recommendations now move to the Baltimore County Planning Board and County Council for review and a decision later this year on whether to adopt new zoning rules or extend the moratorium. County Councilmen David Marks and Nino Mangione both voiced support for extending the moratorium, citing the need for more time to digest the report and gather community input, as well as to observe any actions by the Maryland General Assembly. Councilman Julian Jones is still reviewing the report, with his spokesman indicating data center engagement would be part of his energy plan if elected county executive.
The report acknowledges data centers as essential infrastructure but emphasizes balancing economic benefits against environmental and community impacts. It highlights concerns over significant electricity demand, projecting 32 gigawatts of additional peak demand by 2030, with over half from data centers, according to regional grid operator PJM. PJM's Senior Vice President for Market Services, Adam Keech, confirmed that data center growth is outpacing new power generation, contributing to higher capacity prices. The report also addresses high water consumption (up to 500,000 gallons daily), greenhouse gas emissions, and noise. While data centers offer high property tax revenue ($171,244 per acre), they create fewer permanent jobs (0.5 jobs per acre) compared to warehouses or manufacturing. The Baltimore County Planning Board is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the report on September 3.