Charles County Commissioner Seeks Review of Potential Data Center Zoning Loophole in St. Charles
Charles County Commissioner Amanda Stewart said the St. Charles planned-community zoning framework could theoretically allow a data center proposal, despite local officials viewing that outcome as unlikely. Residents are pressing for a countywide ban, and Stewart plans to request a future commissioners' agenda item to address the issue.
Charles County Commissioner Amanda Stewart said the county's 1970s Docket 90 zoning framework for St. Charles could theoretically allow a data center to seek approval through the community's planned design review board. She said she intends to ask commissioners to consider the issue, including possible rules for commercial uses with substantial electricity or water demands.
The discussion followed renewed calls from residents and the Charles County Against Data Centers Coalition for a countywide ban on hyperscale and co-located facilities. County planning officials said a data center proposal would face significant power-study costs, water concerns and community scrutiny, while county officials emphasized that no data center permissions are currently pending. TeraWulf was mentioned in connection with separate plans involving the Morgantown Generating Station site.