Washington County Commissioners Institute Twelve-Month Data Center Moratorium

HAGERSTOWN, MD – Washington County Commissioners have approved a temporary twelve-month moratorium on accepting, processing, reviewing, and approving applications for data centers within the county. This decision, made with a 4-1 vote, aims to provide the county with essential time to develop comprehensive policies, performance standards, and zoning regulations for future data center proposals.

The moratorium, effective immediately, will allow Washington County to thoroughly evaluate the potential impacts of large-scale data center facilities. Data center development has become a significant topic of discussion both regionally and nationally, and existing county zoning regulations do not specifically address the unique implications of these contemporary facilities. Before any permit applications are processed, the county intends to engage in crucial discussions and research.

During this twelve-month period, the county will focus on several key areas to advance public health, safety, and welfare. This includes conducting research into the potential effects of data center development on environmental resources, utility services, local infrastructure, and land use compatibility. Furthermore, the county plans to actively engage residents, stakeholders, and subject matter experts to gather diverse perspectives on the opportunities and challenges associated with data centers. This collaborative approach will also involve reviewing and considering necessary amendments to the County’s Zoning Ordinance and other relevant regulations to establish clear standards for any future proposals.

Data centers, defined as facilities housing computing infrastructure for storing, managing, processing, and transmitting large volumes of digital data, can demand substantial resources. These facilities may require significant amounts of land, water, and electricity, potentially impacting local infrastructure. Concerns raised by stakeholders during the approval process included potential environmental issues such as the storage of hazardous materials and the disposal of electronic waste, as well as noise pollution from cooling systems and backup generators, and the compatibility of such facilities with agricultural and residential areas.

The primary objective of this moratorium is to ensure that Washington County has adequate time to study this emerging technology and land use potential. This pause will also allow for a careful determination of how future data center proposals, if any, can be evaluated for alignment with Washington County’s community goals and long-term planning objectives. It is important to note that the moratorium is not intended as a permanent prohibition of data center development, but rather as a necessary step to ensure responsible and informed decision-making. The moratorium will remain in effect for its twelve-month duration unless modified or extended by a majority vote of the Washington County Board of County Commissioners.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from Washington County Board of County Commissioners

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