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Frederick County hears hours of public opposition to hyperscale data centers; board directs staff to prepare impartial fact sheet and outreach
Summary
After more than a dozen residents described water, noise and farmland threats from proposed hyperscale data centers, the Board of Supervisors directed staff to prepare an impartial data‑center fact sheet and hold public information sessions with regional water and power partners to inform future decisions.
Dozens of Frederick County residents and interest groups turned out at the board—s Aug. 13 meeting to press supervisors for caution on proposals for large hyperscale data centers.
Speakers at the public-comment portion said the county needs rigorous study before entertaining rezoning or approvals. "I wish to express my very strong opposition to the continued study for the proposed data center," said Demarche Spears, a Back Creek District resident who said a Meadow Branch proposal would imperil her agribusiness. Other residents raised similar themes about water demand, potential drops in farmland values and noise impacts.
Planning staff told the board the Planning Commission asked staff to prepare a short, impartial fact sheet on data centers summarizing typical impacts, site-selection criteria, water and power use and mitigation options. Staff proposed a two-part response: a staff report and presentation to the Planning Commission and Board, and Economic Development Authority–facilitated community information meetings with invited technical experts.
"I really think this has to be done," Supervisor Leerro said during debate on the item, urging the county to provide clear facts so residents could make informed choices.
The board voted to direct staff to proceed with the study and outreach, asking that Frederick Water and nearby utilities be included and that technical experts on power, water and noise be available for the presentations. Chair Ludwig cast the lone no vote; the direction carried.
What happens next: staff will prepare the fact sheet and schedule public information sessions aimed at explaining typical data‑center footprints, common cooling and water systems, electricity demand profiles and local permitting implications. The outreach is intended to be informational; it does not approve or disapprove any specific project. The Board stressed that any future rezoning or conditional‑use review would follow the usual public‑hearing process and that the fact sheet is meant to improve the base of shared information for those hearings.
Representative remarks (selected): "We have already seen that solar panel initiatives have not fully lived up to their expectations and we must avoid making another similar mistake in our county," said Demarche Spears during public comment.
"There is a wealth of information from neighboring localities we can build on," planning staff told the board when outlining next steps.
Next steps: staff will produce the report, coordinate technical experts and the Economic Development Authority will schedule community sessions to share findings and take questions.
