Silver Spring pauses data-center ordinance after residents raise noise, water and health concerns

The Silver Spring Township Board of Supervisors on Feb. 25 continued the public hearing on proposed Ordinance 2026-01, which would establish specific standards for data centers as a conditional use in the township’s I-2 general industrial zoning district.

Vice Chair Laura Brown and Solicitor Sean M. Shultz led an overview explaining the draft ordinance and the legal context for regulating — rather than prohibiting — data centers. Shultz told the meeting the ordinance would set criteria for siting and mitigation while preserving the Township’s authority to condition approvals. The Board voted to continue the hearing to the May 27 meeting to consider additional public and technical feedback.

The hearing drew repeated public concern about noise, water and air impacts. “This noise pollution can go as far out as three and a half miles in radius. That is close enough to hit the high school,” resident Cooper Shirey said, adding that the sound “has been likened to a vacuum cleaner running outside of your bedroom window while you're trying to sleep at night.” Other speakers urged stricter limits, independent public-health assessments and stronger landscaping and stormwater conditions, including proposals to require native-meadow plantings instead of turf in undisturbed areas.

Several commenters suggested procedures to increase community input. Glenda Farner-Strasbaugh urged an independent public-health assessment funded by any applicant and pointed to proposed state-level moratoria and model-ordinance efforts under consideration in other jurisdictions. Clarence Bouchat told the Board he had circulated a set of written amendments and asked supervisors to consider each suggested change.

Board members said they want time to review written comments from the county planning department, the township planning commission and public submitters before taking further action. Solicitor Shultz recommended revisions be re-advertised and reviewed by county and township planning bodies, which is likely to move any final vote to the May 27 meeting.

The hearing record shows the Board’s immediate procedural decision: a Lenker/Kotzmoyer motion to continue the public hearing carried, preserving the Township’s ability to collect additional input and to refine zoning criteria for large facilities in the I-2 district.

Next steps: Township staff and the solicitor will incorporate feedback from county planning and the Planning Commission, circulate revised draft language and return with the re-advertised hearing on or before May 27, 2026.