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Calvert County commissioners debate moratorium on data centers; zoning change and revenue study advance
Summary
After hours of debate and large public turnout, the board declined a blanket 24‑month moratorium but approved removing data centers from light‑industrial (I1) zoning and asked staff to develop a policy study on dedicating any future data‑center revenue to community priorities.
On April 7, 2026 the Calvert County Board of County Commissioners debated a proposed temporary moratorium on data‑center approvals and related zoning changes, amid sustained public comment and sharp differences among commissioners.
Commissioner Mike Hart moved that staff prepare an ordinance imposing a 24‑month moratorium on all county approvals for data‑center development until an independent comprehensive environmental study (land, air, water and noise) was completed and publicized. "Brakes got to be put on," Hart said during the meeting, arguing the pace of proposals had outstripped the county’s ability to assess environmental and infrastructure impacts. "This thing's moving like a freight train," he said.
Planning director Jason Brinkley told the board that no local…
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