Committee approves 18‑month moratorium on data center permits

The Montgomery County Economic Development Committee on an expedited basis approved an 18‑month moratorium on permits for data centers, moving to pause new permitting while the county studies zoning, environmental, and public‑health implications.

Chair Natalie Fanny Gonzales opened the work session and said the committee and the afternoon zoning text amendment (ZTA) hearing will align definitions before the full council considers the measures on Tuesday, July 28. Council staff explained the moratorium’s purpose is “to allow the county time to study, evaluate, and adopt appropriate laws, zoning requirements, governing data centers in the county.”

Councilmember Glass and other members supported an 18‑month sunset as a compromise between a six‑month administrative pause issued by the county executive on 06/12/2026 and longer proposals. A guest councilmember who said his bill proposed a two‑year pause urged combining proposals and defended the longer review period, noting competing concerns about water, energy, noise and public‑health impacts. “I like the math of it too, because if you take 24 months minus 6, you get 18,” the guest councilmember said in favor of the compromise.

After discussion of technical edits and transition language to ensure the moratorium would capture conditional use applications at all stages of review, Councilmember Lori Anne Sales moved to approve the amended bill, with Councilmember Glass seconding. The committee voted unanimously to pass the amended Expedited Bill 19‑26.

The chair said committee members will take up a ZTA in PHP at 1:30 p.m. the same day and that the full council will consider the ZTA first and the moratorium immediately afterward on July 28. The committee adjourned following the vote.