Baltimore County Weighs Six-Month Extension of Data Center Moratorium
Baltimore County lawmakers are considering extending the county's moratorium on new data center development by six months. This extension would allow for review of proposed regulations recommending stricter zoning, environmental, and utility capacity requirements. The County Planning Board is scheduled to hold a public hearing on September 3 regarding these recommendations.
Baltimore County lawmakers are evaluating a proposed six-month extension to the county's moratorium on new data center development, which is currently set to expire in January 2027. Councilman David Marks announced plans to introduce legislation in August to extend the pause, giving the County Council more time to review a draft report containing new regulatory recommendations.
The 51-page report, released by a county task force and reviewed by the Baltimore County Planning Board on July 16, suggests significant changes to data center oversight. Key recommendations include concentrating data centers in industrial zones, prohibiting them on agricultural land and near residential properties, and eliminating by-right approvals. Developers would also need to demonstrate sufficient utility capacity, reduce water consumption, and commit to environmental mitigation measures. Public hearings are scheduled for September 3.
The proposal has drawn varied reactions from local politicians, with Council Chair Mike Ertel supporting the extension due to the issue's complexity. Opponents of data centers cite concerns about electricity and water demands, environmental effects, and land use, with residents displaying signs at the recent Planning Board meeting. The Maryland Tech Council, however, has expressed opposition to the moratorium, arguing it could deter investment.