Planning Commission recommends denial of Ladysmith data center rezoning and special‑exception requests after public hearing

The Caroline County Planning Commission on July 24 voted to recommend denial of a proffer amendment/re‑zoning (RZ022025) and the companion special‑exception permit (SPEX 062025) for the ADP Ladysmith Data Hub, a proposed data center campus on a 140.38‑acre M‑1 parcel near Green Road and Interstate 95. The commission also separately found that the applicant’s proposed public‑utility substation was not substantially in accord with the county comprehensive plan.

The applicant, Avaya Digital Partners (ADP) / ADP Ladysmith Data Hub LLC, sought replacement of the 1995 generalized development plan (GDP) and associated proffers to permit construction of a two‑story, approximately 315,000‑square‑foot first data center building and a 10‑acre substation in Phase 1, with a future development area that could accommodate up to four additional data center buildings in later phases. The applicant’s future‑development exhibit showed a possible campus totaling roughly 1.6 million square feet across all phases; staff noted that the future development exhibit is not proffered and could be developed for other M‑1 uses unless additional commitments are made.

Staff highlighted several proffers the applicant offered, including a 100‑foot vegetated perimeter buffer, a construction mitigation plan, an emergency action plan, reimbursement up to $100,000 for certain…