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Residents press Calvert County commissioners for a data‑center moratorium and independent studies
Summary
During public comment numerous residents and community groups urged the board to adopt a temporary moratorium on data‑center permitting and to require independent studies on noise, emissions, grid impacts and land‑use consequences; some speakers criticized board transparency and staff conduct.
Several speakers used the public‑comment period to press the Board for stronger, immediate action on potential data‑center development and to request a moratorium while the county updates local standards.
Judy Peterson, speaking as an at‑large Democratic candidate, said opposition to data centers has grown across the political spectrum and urged the board to approve a moratorium and independent studies before additional applications advance: “Please do the right thing and vote for the moratorium,” she said. Jeff Dixon cited Loudoun County’s recent vote to pause data‑center activity as a model and urged Calvert County to consider a similar pause while staff draft formal options for review.
Other speakers raised governance and personnel concerns. Patrick Flaherty criticized the board’s public disagreements and urged accountability, while Kyle Russell asked the board to investigate alleged discriminatory comments by a county employee and to address volunteer‑management practices that he said led to a retaliatory trespass action.
Board members noted the moratorium question is scheduled for a future vote (staff confirmed a date of Aug. 18) and encouraged residents to submit written input. Commissioners and staff also reiterated procedural limits on Q&A during public comment and described appropriate channels for follow‑up.
