Dorchester County adopts one-year moratorium on data centers to study local impacts

Dorchester County Council voted on Aug. 4 to place a 12-month moratorium on data centers in unincorporated parts of the county, effective immediately. The resolution, approved after staff told the council there were many “moving parts,” pauses permitting while county staff gathers technical, environmental and jurisdictional information to guide future zoning and policy decisions.

Council President (presiding) introduced the recommendation, saying staff could not assemble all necessary information quickly and suggested a pause similar to other counties. "We're not necessarily saying we're against data centers at all, but we need more information so we can make a better informed decision for our policies and our zoning laws," the presiding speaker said. The motion to approve was moved, seconded and carried; the resolution takes effect immediately and will last for one year. Staff will return in the spring with recommendations.

Councilmembers discussed forming a stakeholder group that could include citizens, municipal representatives and professional stakeholders to review other counties' approaches and propose committee makeup and next steps. Resident Sharon Smith volunteered to participate and urged the council to study both the potential tax benefits and the operational lessons from places such as Northern Virginia. Speaker 7 (staff member) said staff would research surrounding-county models and report back.

The moratorium applies to unincorporated Dorchester County; municipalities would need to take action separately if they wish to regulate data centers within town limits. The council directed staff to notify municipalities and encouraged municipal participation in the process.