Commissioners reject six-month moratorium on data-center approvals after weeks of public protest

Members of the public used Tuesday's Calvert County public-comment period to press the Board of County Commissioners to halt or rescind recent zoning changes that would allow large data centers. Several speakers accused county staff and private companies of limited notice or confidential dealings during the comprehensive-plan process, asked whether appraisals had been completed for county-owned parcels and urged the commissioners to enact greater setbacks and stricter rules for data-center projects.

Patrick Flaherty (self-identified) told the board that a series of agreements and nondisclosure documents signed in 2024 and 2025 meant the county could not claim ignorance, and he asked the board to direct planning staff to repeal references to data centers and roll back recent zoning amendments. "You can't claim ignorance," Flaherty said, listing dated NDAs and agreements he said were relevant to Natali holdings.

Other speakers criticized the pace and transparency of outreach. Andrea Smith of Chesapeake Beach said information sessions had not gone north of Prince Frederick and urged the county to hold additional meetings so more residents could learn about projects proposed near locally shared aquifers. Margaret Dowell and Megan Farringer urged residents to contact commissioners and called for the county to prioritize eco‑tourism and smaller-scale revenue options over industrial development.

At the close of public comment, Commissioner Hart moved to request a public hearing to "explore the parameters of a moratorium" on data-center approvals for a minimum of six months, arguing the pause would allow the environmental commission and the planning commission to finish reviews and avoid imposing decisions on the next board. "I think a minimum of even six months to get all this information and ... give the planning commission time, us time, to put the proper things in place," Hart said.

The motion was seconded and brought to discussion. County legal staff said procedural steps are required before a public hearing can be scheduled. Commissioner Ireland, participating remotely, registered opposition; the chair called for a voice vote and later announced the motion failed "3 to 2." The transcript records Commissioner Ireland voting no; the final tally was reported as a 3-2 failure.

Speakers who testified cited specific concerns: noise and sound mitigation (Jeff Dixon), possible impacts to aquifers and shared infrastructure (Andrea Smith, Sherry Burden), and alleged legal/process irregularities in the comprehensive-plan and rezoning procedures (Nancy Elwein, Carl Ellwine). Several commenters asked whether appraisals had been ordered for county-owned parcels described in presentations about the Natali and BGE-field sites.

The board did not adopt any regulatory change Tuesday; commissioners said they are awaiting the environmental commission report and the planning commission's text amendments. The chair recessed the meeting until the scheduled 7 p.m. public hearing on the FY2027 budget.