Daryl Barnes, chairman of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, and James Hunt, director of the Prince George's County Planning Department, told the Data Center Task Force that the Oct. 25 community meeting drew a substantially larger crowd than prior sessions and produced strong public turnout and comment.

"With 400 plus individuals coming out to voice their concerns, it was a huge undertaking," Barnes said, thanking park and planning staff and park police for managing the meeting. Hunt said the turnout was approximately 465 attendees.

Why it matters: The large turnout signals strong public interest and partisan views about data center development in Prince George's County. Task-force members said most attendees opposed new data centers, frequently citing concerns about environmental racism, water use and electricity costs; a smaller number of speakers supported development because of potential job creation.

Discussion highlights: Several task-force members said the meeting included chaotic moments in which some attendees prevented others from speaking and that misinformation circulated. Council member [name cited in transcript as Wallopla Gay] and other members urged better public education about water and electricity dynamics; others urged that the task force use the recorded public comments and community meeting materials in the draft study appendices.

Quotes from the record: "I think there is a way that we go about doing those things that is safe and sound for all that participate," Daryl Barnes said, thanking staff. Chair Edward Burrows said, "We are very pleased with the turnout and are glad that members of the community felt free to express their views about data centers."

What's next: Planning staff confirmed that presentations and materials (including WSSC water's July presentation on water-use models) will be included in the study appendices. Task-force members recommended further community education and outreach as part of the group's final work.

Ending: Members asked staff to synthesize community feedback for inclusion in the final report to the County Council; no formal policy action was taken at the meeting.