Baltimore County Council will consider extending data center moratorium
Baltimore County Council member David Marks plans to introduce legislation in August to extend the county's data center moratorium by six months, pushing its expiration beyond January 1, 2027. This follows a draft report from a county task force recommending stricter oversight, new zoning rules, and environmental safeguards for data centers. The Planning Board will hold a public hearing in September before voting on these recommendations.
Baltimore County Council member David Marks announced plans to introduce legislation in August that would extend the county's current data center moratorium by six months, pushing its expiration to mid-2027. This proposal comes as the Baltimore County Planning Board reviews a draft report from a county task force recommending stringent regulations for data centers, including new zoning rules, environmental protections, and enhanced community involvement in the development process.
The report, presented at a Planning Board meeting, suggests limiting data centers to industrial zones, prohibiting them on agricultural land and outside the Urban-Rural Demarcation Line, and mandating a 750-foot setback from residential areas. Additionally, projects in overburdened communities would face case-by-case review by an administrative law judge. The Planning Board is scheduled to hold a public hearing on September 3 before a final vote on September 17. If approved, these recommendations will be forwarded to the County Council for consideration.
Marks, a Republican running for re-election, emphasized the complexity of the 51-page report and the need for a more deliberate approach, especially before new council members take office in December. Council Chair Mike Ertel, a Democrat also seeking re-election, voiced support for extending the moratorium to allow the incoming council ample time to address the contentious issue. Other council members, like Pat Young, are awaiting the Planning Board's final recommendations before taking a stance.
Baltimore County enacted its initial moratorium in February, joining a growing number of Maryland jurisdictions like Frederick, Prince George's, Montgomery, and Harford counties that have imposed restrictions or bans on data center development due to concerns over energy and water consumption, as well as rising utility rates. The Maryland Tech Council, a trade association, had previously opposed the initial moratorium, arguing it would deter economic development. However, several Democratic council candidates are advocating for further restrictions, with some even calling for an outright ban, citing community concerns about environmental impact and resource strain.