Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
After wide public outcry over data centers, Calvert County commissioners schedule agenda item to consider moratorium hearing
Summary
Hundreds of public comments at the June 9 meeting urged a pause on proposed data centers, citing environmental, water and safety concerns; the board voted 5-0 to place an item on next week's agenda to determine whether to advertise a public hearing on a two-year moratorium and independent EIS.
Long public comment at the Calvert County Board of Commissioners' June 9 meeting centered on proposed large-scale data center development and alleged problems with how rezoning and related decisions were handled.
Multiple in-person speakers and online callers urged the board to pause permitting and require independent environmental and health studies before proceeding. Sheila Green, a Huntingtown resident, warned that "the health and well-being of every man, woman, and child will be severely impacted by these data centers" and urged commissioners to consider long-term consequences. Other commenters alleged insufficient notice around comprehensive-plan changes and rezoning, and said developers had benefited from closed-door negotiations. Patrick Flaherty, a District 1 commissioner candidate, listed what he said were multiple executive sessions and confidential agreements involving data-center proposals.
Speakers raised several repeat concerns: cumulative clearing of forest and wetland areas near the Jones Creek watershed and the Chesapeake Bay; long-term water consumption and whether county infrastructure could support industrial-scale reuse; noise and vibration from backup generation; traffic and construction impacts; and evacuation-route constraints around the Governor Johnson Bridge in the event of a nuclear or LNG emergency.
County staff and some commissioners responded during and after the public record. County Administrator Linda Turner read an emailed legal opinion from the deputy county attorney (Pam) that, based on submitted materials, the recent zoning changes complied with ordinance requirements. At the same time, commissioners said staff had previously implemented a pause on building permits for related projects while studies and text amendments proceed; Commissioner Grasso emphasized that no building permits would be issued until required studies were complete.
Commissioner Hart moved to place a public-hearing item on next week's meeting agenda to consider a two-year moratorium and an independent environmental impact statement; after discussion about procedural notice requirements a motion was made and seconded to place the item on next week's agenda so the board can vote to authorize advertisement of a public hearing. That motion passed 5-0.
Next steps: the board authorized staff to begin required public-notice procedures if the board votes at the next meeting to schedule and advertise a public hearing; separate planning and permitting reviews remain subject to the outcome of any legally adopted moratorium or text amendments.
