Data Center Bills Introduced By Frederick County Executive Fitzwater

They were based on recommendations from the Data Center Workgroup.Frederick County Executive Jessica FitzwaterFrederick, Md (KM) Legislation dealing with data centers was introduced on Thursday by Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater. She brought forward two bills; one would put restrictions on where data centers can be located.Fitzwater says it would create a new approval process  when it comes siting these facilities. “The design requirements proposed in the bill will mitigate potential negative impacts of critical digital infrastructure, including visual impact, noise pollution, on-site air pollution and fuel storage risks, “she said.Another part of the bill would require sound and vibration studies to be conducted on locations where data centers are proposed. “The sound study must include details on methodology, existing baseline noise levels, and the cumulative sound impact of adjoining data centers,” says Fitzwater. “The sound study must also include an action plan for how the data centers will assure compliance with our noise ordinance.”The legislation would  also require a viewshed analysis be completed. “This analysis will help our staff and the Planning Commission ensure that preservation areas, designated heritage areas and historic sites are not negatively impacted by data centers,” said Fitzwater.And there’s more. “The bill increases required lot sizes for data centers, and limits lighting height to 18 feet. It also proposes  elements to reduce light pollution and other environmental considerations,” she says.Fitzwater proposed a second bill to set up a floating zone for  critical digital infrastructure. “Under this bill, a CDI floating zone could only be placed on a tract of land that has a comprehensive planned land use designation of general or limited industrial zoning, is within a community growth area, and is within two miles of high voltage electrical transmission lines,” she said.The County Executive says she wants data centers to use the existing high voltage electric lines, and not build new ones.Fitzwater said some of these provisions come from recommendations made by the Frederick County Data Centers Workgroup.A data center is under construction in Frederick County at the former Eastalco site in Adamstown.She also said these two bills will help Frederick County avoid the unchecked growth of data centers that occurred in Loudon County, Virginia. “Our residents have been clear that they expect us to learn lessons from Northern Virginia’s experience, and not to repeat their mistakes. I share that same expectation,”: Fitzwater said.She says she’s asking the County Council to hold a workshop on these two bills during their meeting on October 8thBy Kevin McManus .