Council advances data-center zoning changes with committee-recommended amendments

Council heard a PHED committee report on CB 52-2024, a county executive-sponsored bill to exempt qualified data centers from preliminary subdivision plans and to set public notice and public-facilities requirements. The committee reported the legislation would create a more expedited review process while retaining community involvement; planning staff and committee members described technical amendments to avoid unintended consequences when data centers are proposed alongside other uses.

"CB 52 20 24 intends to institute a more expedited process for development of qualified data centers while still allowing community involvement in the development review process," the PHED committee representative said during the committee recap. Committee discussion emphasized creating a record of community outreach and preserving a 90-day process for involvement; the committee voted favorably 3-0-2 as amended. Vice Chair Harrison and others noted future legislation could permit data centers in overlay zones, and planning staff said the department would conduct outreach to build the record the bill contemplates.