Montgomery County leaders unveil draft rules on where data centers may locate after public forum
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Summary
County leaders said a draft bill to restrict where data centers can be sited was presented at a public forum that drew more than 100 attendees; a public hearing is expected in about two weeks and committee debate in the summer.
More than 100 people attended a community forum in Rockville last Tuesday where county officials and organizers outlined a draft bill to define where data centers can be located in Montgomery County and what restrictions should apply.
County Executive Mark Elvridge and Council President Natalie Fanny González joined Vice President Marilyn Balcon and Councilmember Lorienne Sales as organizers of the forum. An unidentified speaker summarized the event’s purpose as a chance to “have a conversation about the impact of data centers on the community and what people think of them.”
The same speaker said, “Tenemos una legislación que es una que presenté con la concejal Marilyn Balcon y Lorienne Sales, acerca de dónde pueden estos centros de de data estar ubicados en el condado y qué tipo de restricciones deben tener para que sean de de manera responsable,” indicating a draft ordinance (the text was not read aloud or included in the record) designed to set siting limits and responsibility standards. The speaker added that a public hearing is expected in about two weeks and that the measure will be debated in committee this summer.
Organizers framed the proposal as an effort to balance economic or infrastructure interests with community impacts. Forum organizers and speakers emphasized public input: the turnout — more than 100 attendees in person and online — was cited as evidence of local interest. No formal vote or council action took place at the forum; officials described only the next procedural steps.
The county has not released the draft ordinance language as part of this forum record; the reporter and presenters identified co-sponsors as Vice President Marilyn Balcon and Councilmember Lorienne Sales but did not specify who formally moved the measure, its ordinance number, or detailed provisions. The next public hearing is the first scheduled opportunity for the public and council to review the draft text and offer formal testimony.
The forum coverage was filed by reporter Marcela Rodríguez Villagrán.