Amazon pushed for CLS ahead of moratorium
One day before Worcester County, Maryland, imposed a moratorium on data centers and cable landing stations, an Amazon lobbyist attempted to exclude cable landing stations from the ban for the company's Fastnet project. Despite Amazon's efforts, the moratorium was enacted. Amazon subsequently scaled back its plans for a cable landing station and is now seeking a zoning amendment for a smaller power-feed building at the Ocean City Municipal Airport.
Prior to the Worcester County Commissioners in Maryland enacting a yearlong moratorium on data centers and cable landing stations on July 21, Amazon actively lobbied the county to exempt cable landing stations from the proposed ban. John Fiastro, an Amazon lobbyist, urged County Administrator Weston Young to remove the relevant language or collaborate on alternative wording to allow Amazon's Fastnet transatlantic cable project to proceed.
The initial proposal for a 25,000-square-foot cable landing station by Globalinx on Route 611 near West Ocean City, intended to service Amazon Web Services, had generated significant opposition. Concerns centered on its scale, power consumption, proximity to residential areas, and its location adjacent to a historic African American cemetery. Even before the moratorium vote, Amazon had begun exploring a more modest 900-square-foot power-feed equipment building at the Ocean City Municipal Airport as a potential alternative.
Despite Amazon's intervention, the commissioners voted unanimously to adopt the moratorium, which included cable landing stations. Following this decision, Amazon publicly stated it had responded to community feedback and altered its strategy. The company abandoned its plans for the larger local landing station and is now pursuing the smaller airport proposal. Amazon is currently seeking a zoning amendment to permit a power-feed building, which they state would be less than 700 square feet, at the airport. Associated equipment would be housed in an existing Amazon facility in the Washington D.C. region.
Amazon representatives are scheduled to present their zoning amendment request to the Worcester County Planning Commission on October 1. Commissioner Eric Fiori has emphasized the need for public involvement in this process, especially given that the county is simultaneously revising its broader land-use regulations. Fiori expressed concern that approving major zoning changes prematurely could undermine the comprehensive planning effort. Amazon has reiterated its commitment to not build a full-scale cable landing station or data center in Worcester County.