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Citizen raises concerns about data‑center zoning and transparency during public comment
Summary
A citizen urged the board to scrutinize recent zoning changes related to data centers and alleged that county officials had secret communications with energy and utility firms; staff reiterated the public hearing schedule and record procedures.
During the public‑comment portion of the hearing, Joe Cormier said he is concerned about recent zoning activity related to data centers and alleged that county commissioners and staff have engaged with potential data‑center proponents behind closed doors.
Cormier told the board he had filed public‑records requests and said: "The Calvert 2040 master plan does not mention data centers in any way, shape, or form, and I feel like the commissioners, currently have been working in backroom deals behind NDAs and confidentiality agreements." The board and staff did not adjudicate the allegation; staff noted that the proposed text amendments will go through public hearings in May and that public comments will be included in the Planning Commission packet.
The board accepted public comment and closed the hearing for the day; members suggested submitting written comments to Planning and Zoning ahead of the Planning Commission’s May hearing.
