Frederick County Pauses New Data Center Development
Frederick County has temporarily halted new data center development until December 31 through an executive order, following a Maryland Supreme Court ruling that prevents a restrictive data center zoning measure from appearing on the fall ballot. Additionally, a new executive order requires developers to register projected energy usage with the Maryland Public Service Commission. The county is also restarting negotiations for a community benefits agreement for the proposed Quantum Frederick campus.
Frederick County, Maryland, has implemented a temporary moratorium on new data center development following a Maryland Supreme Court decision. The court ruled that a local zoning measure, which sought to restrict data centers to a specific area north of Adamstown, cannot be placed on the upcoming fall ballot. In response to this ruling, County Executive Jessica Fitzwater issued an executive order that pauses the acceptance and processing of new data center and substation applications until December 31, pending the state's Data Center Impact Analysis.
A second executive order has been signed, requiring data center developers to register their projected energy usage with the Maryland Public Service Commission as a prerequisite for advancing through the county's review process. Furthermore, the county government plans to hold additional public information sessions regarding data center development and intends to resume negotiations for a community benefits agreement related to the proposed Quantum Frederick campus, which has already generated over $50 million in recordation tax revenue.