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Council pauses adoption, discusses adding data centers and battery storage to industrial code
Summary
Councilors delayed adoption of an industrial zoning change and directed staff to review where to permit data centers and battery energy storage systems, citing the code's age and the need for special criteria for energy storage.
The Taneytown council on Dec. 8 decided not to proceed with immediate adoption of proposed industrial-district changes and instead asked staff for more time to study potential updates, particularly how to treat data centers and battery energy storage systems.
Speaker 3 said the town's current restricted industrial code predates the widespread use of data centers and does not directly address energy storage systems that often accompany them. He recommended a careful review to determine where data centers should be allowed and whether special criteria are needed for associated battery storage. The planning director has shared American Planning Association resources on best practices for data center siting and operations.
Council members discussed whether to permit data centers as a use in certain industrial zones and whether to add design or operational standards for battery systems. No ordinance adoption occurred; Speaker 3 asked for additional review and for staff to return with recommendations so council can consider appropriate locations and criteria.
