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Residents and a commissioner candidate urge moratorium and stricter rules on data centers over noise, water and infrastructure concerns
Summary
Multiple residents urged the commission to reject or tighten proposed data center text amendments, calling for setbacks of 1,200 feet, strict daytime/nighttime noise limits, third‑party monitoring, prohibitions on evaporative cooling and moratoria while independent studies evaluate cumulative impacts; staff and commissioners noted technical and regulatory follow‑ups would be needed.
Several residents used the public comment period to press the Planning Commission on proposed text amendments that would govern industrial‑scale data centers in Calvert County.
Jeff Dixon, a Musby resident, told commissioners that physical buffers and sound walls would not protect neighborhoods from low‑frequency noise and infrasound and urged rejection of the amendments. "If your industrial can easily travel over a 60 foot concrete wall and covers over 5,000 feet to reach my front door, a 1,200 foot sound buffer for a massive data center campus is useless," he said. Patrick Flaherty, a candidate for county commissioner, urged immediate repeal of the data center language, a 12‑month moratorium while third‑party studies assess energy, water, noise, traffic and cumulative impacts, and a package of stringent requirements including a 1,200‑foot setback, continuous third‑party monitoring and an absolute prohibition on evaporative cooling.
Other commenters offered technical mitigation ideas or urged deliberation. Dylan Johnson proposed buried runoff retention systems to supply cooling and cautioned against exaggeration in an election year. Online commenter Megan Farringer asked the commission to wait for environmental commission recommendations due June 2 before permitting approvals. Teresa Roman referenced a PJM letter urging authorization to direct backup generator use during extreme regional energy alerts, raising reliability concerns.
Commissioners did not adopt any immediate regulatory changes at the meeting; staff and commissioners indicated technical questions (noise measurement standards, stormwater design, infrastructure impacts) would need follow‑up and that state and county agencies may be involved in any rulemaking.
