Legislation To Limit Data Centers In Frederick County Introduced On Tuesday

They could only be placed at the former Eastalco site.Frederick, Md (KM) Legislation to limit data centers to the former Eastalco site in Adamstown was unveiled on Tuesday by Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater.Fitzwater says this legislation has the support of all seven members of the County Council. “The compromise that we are announcing would limit data center development to a narrow slice of the county where it’s already occurring,” she said,. “And it will give the County Council powerful tools to prevent future sprawl.”She said the residents have spoken and said they’re willing to tolerate some data centers, but want to avoid the sprawl of these facilities  that has occurred  in Loudon County.The bill, which will be in the form of a text amendment to the County’s zoning code, will set up an overlay  on the Eastalco property to delineate where data centers could be located. It would need to go before the County Council where it will undergo hearings, and Council members will take a vote. If the bill passes, the Division of Planning and Permitting will develop a map of the Eastalco area which determines where data centers will be located. The map will be presented to the Planning Commission for its review, and the County Council for its approval.Fitzwater said not everyone will be happy with this legislation, especially if farmers in the Eastalco area   sell their land to data center developers.  “Our friends in the Farm Bureau understand the tension between a farmer’s property rights, and the community’s goals for preserving agricultural land,” she said. “It is our intention that the county will preserve five additional acres of ag-land for every acre of ag-land that could ultimately be rezoned in the overlay.”The announcement was made at Winchester Hall with all seven Council members in attendance. Councilman Steve McKay said he was very, very pleased with the legislation. “It makes a very explicit statement that the county has decided that the Eastalco area is where we will concentrate data centers.. We’re not going to be talking about applications for data centers here, there and all around the county. We’re going to focus in one area where we feel it’s the most suitable,” he said.Councilwoman Renee Knapp, who is co-sponsoring a data centers bill, was also on hand. “We’re setting a new standard in the region for data center regulation that address community concerns while supporting  this industry in ways that make sense in Frederick County,”  she said.County Executive Fitzwater said data centers can create good paying, high tech and skilled jobs, and expand the commercial tax base. But if they’re left unchecked, she said data centers can threaten the environment, water resources and the county’s quality of live.No Vote On Data Center Bill.A vote by the Frederick County Council on a bill regulating data centers was scheduled for Tuesday night, but it’s been postponed. Council members voted on 25 amendments to the legislation; eight passed.Council President Brad Young said a hearing on the amended bill will take place next Tuesday, May 13th, with a vote the following Tuesday, May 20th.By Kevin McManus