Latest data center moratorium vote ends in tie in Calvert
Calvert County commissioners held a tie vote, resulting in the failure of a motion to schedule a work session and public hearing for a proposed data center moratorium ordinance. Commissioner Mike Hart advocated for an immediate two-year pause on data center approvals, citing environmental concerns and strong resident opposition. The planning department had advised drafting an ordinance to legally defend any moratorium against potential lawsuits.
Calvert County, Maryland, experienced a deadlock among its county commissioners regarding a proposed data center moratorium, with a 2-2 tie vote on a motion to advance the issue. Commissioner Earl F. “Buddy” Hance's absence meant Commissioner Mark C. Cox Sr.'s motion to schedule a July 7 work session for drafting a moratorium ordinance and a July 28 public hearing ultimately failed.
Commissioner Mike Hart (R), supported by Commissioner Catherine M. Grasso (R), strongly pushed for an immediate two-year pause on data center approvals, a proposal he first made in March. Hart emphasized concerns about potential environmental impacts, including water quality degradation, noise, and adverse effects on wildlife, alongside significant resident opposition, evidenced by a petition with nearly 9,000 signatures. He also expressed skepticism about the planning department's expertise in addressing these issues.
Jason Brinkley, Director of the Calvert County Department of Planning and Zoning, and JR Cosgrove, Public Works Director, advised the commissioners that enacting a moratorium without a properly drafted ordinance could be vulnerable to legal challenges from applicants like Amazon and Natelli Holdings, which have plans for data center campuses in the Lusby area. Despite these warnings, Hart remained firm on the necessity of a pause, leading to the procedural motion's failure due to the tie vote.