Residents Propose Data Center Ballot Measure At Joint Planning Commission Meeting

At a special joint meeting held on April 15 in Prince Frederick, Maryland, the Calvert County Planning and Zoning Commission and Environmental Commission convened to address resident concerns regarding data center development. The meeting saw significant public engagement, with many residents expressing strong opposition. Joseph Oliver, a resident, proposed introducing a ballot measure in the upcoming election, allowing citizens to directly vote "yes" or "no" on data center projects, asserting that such decisions should not be left to a small governing board. This proposal was met with applause, indicating widespread sentiment against data centers. However, the feasibility of such a direct ban is complicated by Maryland law, which prohibits discrimination against specific industries. While the ballot results could guide the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) in their decisions, any data center proposals would still undergo established county and state permitting processes. Residents, including Lusby resident Camille Finch, also raised concerns about potential decreases in home values, light and noise pollution, impacts on water quality, and increased strain on the local energy grid, arguing against trading environmental and quality of life for limited economic benefits.