Harford County Council approves emergency amendments to data‑center zoning and withdraws moratorium after packed public hearing

A full public hearing and a later council vote on data‑center policy marked the Harford County legislative session Tuesday night. Councilman Tony Bennett opened the hearing on bill 26‑005 (a moratorium) and explained he would withdraw that moratorium if the county executive’s proposed ban on data centers could be amended into emergency legislation — a change the council later approved.

The public hearing drew about 46 speakers. Opponents of data‑center development warned of constant low‑frequency noise, heavy electricity and water demand, pressure to expand transmission infrastructure and long‑term impacts on farmland, property values and rural character. As one nearby resident put it, the project "shatters that dream" of retirement and stable housing for long‑time neighbors (Robera Howard). Speakers cited published estimates of data‑center water and energy use and shared videos and recordings they said demonstrate audible hums from existing facilities.

Supporters and proponents urged a different approach. The owner of Mountain Branch Golf Course, whose property is the proposed Mountain Branch data campus site, described the plan as a "highly engineered, multi‑billion dollar" investment and urged the council to adopt rigorous local standards and a binding community‑benefit agreement. Carol McCarthy, general manager at Mountain Branch, outlined elements of a proposed legally binding community benefits package: local jobs, a 5:1 land‑preservation commitment, partnerships with Harford Community College and K‑12 training programs, developer‑funded road and stormwater improvements, and property‑value protection and public environmental monitoring.

Labor leaders urged the council not to foreclose construction and union jobs, saying projects can be built with local‑hire agreements and strong standards. "These projects can be built the right way with clear rules, strong standards, and thoughtful planning," Ryan Ambrose, a business agent for the plumbers’ union, told the council.

Council action that followed the hearing altered the legislative pathway. Amendments 1–3 to bill 26‑011 (zoning — data centers) were introduced and read into the record; the amendments insert an emergency declaration and findings that data centers present long‑term environmental and financial risks to health and welfare. Councilman Bennett moved to approve the three emergency amendments and Mr. Riley seconded. The council approved the amendments 7‑0. After the amendments passed, Bennett moved to withdraw bill 26‑005 (the moratorium) as moot; the council voted to pull the moratorium 7‑0.

The outcome means the county executive’s zoning ban, as amended into emergency form, will take effect immediately if enacted according to the emergency schedule the council approved. The council also recorded routine votes later in the session (an appointment to the Building Code Board of Appeals and a Harford Community College budget transfer were approved) and received a fiscal‑year‑27 advisory report from the Citizens Budget Advisory Board.

What remains unresolved: Several residents and speakers pressed the council about how the county will respond if state law or the Public Service Commission preempts a local ban; others asked for specific, enforceable standards on water use, noise, and battery‑storage facilities. Developers emphasized binding community benefits and legally recorded protections; opponents urged legal preparedness and coordination with state legislators.

Next steps: The council’s emergency amendments proceed through the legislative process as emergency legislation; the matter will remain in the public record and may prompt state‑level attention and follow‑up from residents and local legislators.