Planning staff brief commission on revised data‑center zoning draft ahead of June public hearing

Charles County planning staff briefed the commission on a revised zoning text amendment for data centers (ZTA 25‑187) and previewed issues likely to surface at a public hearing targeted for June 1.

Planning Director Charles Rice said the planning commission had previously recommended limiting data centers to heavy industrial zones, requiring non‑potable cooling water, expecting developers to supply their own power, and making developers pay for infrastructure improvements. Staff’s revised draft narrows permitted zones to general and heavy industrial areas, removes a 30 percent open‑space requirement (while noting forest conservation and stormwater standards still apply), increases the setback to residential buildings from 400 to 500 feet, and adds diesel‑generator emission performance standards and a public‑meeting requirement in permitted zones.

Commissioners asked how the county was coordinating with ongoing state work — including a state report expected by September — and whether the Public Service Commission or pending legislation (for example, a Utility Relief Act) would affect local regulation of power supply for data centers. Rice said economic development staff are monitoring state studies and that some regulatory matters (power procurement and grid impacts) will be decided through state processes, but commissioners said power‑supply and utility impacts are likely to be central concerns at the June hearing.

Staff said the revised draft also emphasizes that developers must pay for all public infrastructure improvements triggered by a data‑center development. The commission directed staff to proceed toward the June public hearing and to continue coordination with county economic and utility staff.