Calvert County Weighs Data Center Regulations Amid Ongoing Discussion
Calvert County, Maryland is continuing to develop text amendments for data center regulations, considering recommendations from the Planning Commission. Proposed rules include generator testing limits, setbacks, and a decommissioning plan. The Board of County Commissioners acknowledge challenges in creating regulations due to the evolving nature and unstudied impacts of data centers.
The Calvert Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is advancing efforts to establish regulations for potential data center development within Calvert County, Maryland. During its June 2 meeting, the BOCC reviewed recommendations for text amendments presented by the Department of Planning and Zoning.
These recommendations, which originated from discussions by the Planning Commission and a joint meeting with the Environmental Commission, include specific proposals such as limiting generator testing, requiring comprehensive site decommissioning plans, implementing 1,200-foot setbacks, and establishing 400-foot tree buffers. Additionally, compliance with any necessary third-party reviews determined by the county would be mandatory.
The BOCC faces challenges in drafting effective amendments due to the relatively new nature of data centers and the ongoing emergence of unstudied impacts and concerns, such as heat island effects. Commissioner Mike Hart suggested pausing any data center applications until all independent studies are completed, referencing a site plan application likely submitted by AWS. Despite these complexities, the commissioners opted to proceed with developing the text amendments and plan to revisit the necessity of further outside studies in 30 days.