Montgomery County Implements Six-Month Pause on Data Center Permits

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich has announced a six-month moratorium on the issuance of permits for new data centers within the county. The executive order, signed on Friday, directs the Department of Permitting Services to halt the acceptance and processing of permit applications for these facilities.

Elrich clarified that the moratorium is not a prohibition against data centers but rather a measure to allow the county to formulate clear regulations and guidelines. He emphasized the need for a structured approach, stating, “What this does is create time for Montgomery County to establish clear rules and expectations before applications begin moving through the permitting process.”

Currently, the county lacks specific regulations addressing data centers, which has raised concerns among local officials and residents. Elrich expressed the importance of having defined regulations in place before new applications are submitted, ensuring that all stakeholders understand the forthcoming rules.

Montgomery County Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe, a member of the Transportation and Environment Committee, remarked that the moratorium signifies a commitment to addressing community concerns rather than halting progress. She stated, “The moratorium doesn’t mean that we stop. What it means is that we work harder.”

Councilmembers Will Jawando and Kristin Mink supported the moratorium, advocating for a longer two-year pause to ensure comprehensive regulations are developed. Jawando noted that while there may be differing opinions on the specifics, there is consensus on the necessity of taking the time to get the regulations right.

Council President Natali Fani-Gonzalez highlighted that the moratorium will allow for the completion of the Data Center Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 26-01, which aims to provide clear definitions and restrict data centers to industrial zones under conditional use-review, with specific conditions related to noise and environmental protections.

Concerns surrounding the development of data centers include potential noise pollution and the impact on local water infrastructure. Caroline Taylor from the Montgomery Countryside Alliance welcomed the moratorium, emphasizing the importance of addressing these issues.

Although the moratorium will not halt ongoing planning discussions with developers like Atmosphere Data Centers, it will prevent the issuance of permits during this period.

Reported by HarborBeat based on Maryland Matters (source).