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Upcoming Planning Board Public Hearing on Data Centers on Feb 12th

  • Feb 7
  • 2 min read

Our next opportunity to express our concerns about data centers is the Public Hearing at the Planning Board. The Montgomery County Planning Board will meet on February 12th at 1pm for a public hearing on ZTA 26-01, Commercial Uses – Data Centers. Please find the agenda, including the documentation (Climate Assessment - see Item 8, Attachment B) on the Planning Board website and the County staff report on ZTA 26-01, Commercial Uses – Data Centers.



The Montgomery County Planning Board welcomes your participation. You may sign up online to testify at a hearing. Written comments must be submitted no later than by 12 noon two business days before the Planning Board hearing date (i.e. by 12 noon on Tuesday before a Thursday hearing). Written comments may be emailed to the Montgomery County Planning Board Chair at mcp-chair@mncppc-mc.org, or mailed to Chair, Montgomery County Planning Board, 2425 Reedie Drive, 14th Floor, Wheaton, MD 20902.


Planning Board meetings are held at 2425 Reedie Drive, Wheaton, MD in the second floor auditorium (unless noted otherwise). There is underground parking garage under the building.


The ZTA limits data centers to the existing industrial zones. The Climate Coalition views are the following, which you can share with the Planning Board:

  1. The proposed ZTA limits data centers to existing industrial zones is strongly supported. However, there should be an explicit statement that there cannot be further expansion. Data centers should be prohibited elsewhere in the county.

  2. The ZTA opens up these zones to by-right zoning for data centers. Zoning for data centers should not be by-right, but require a review as a conditional use only.

  3. Site suitability within the industrial zones should be analyzed for:

    1. Water and energy requirements.

    2. Other land use conflicts with residential areas and sensitive facilities such as schools, hospitals/healthcare facilities, and houses of worship.

  4. Siting should avoid underserved/overburdened communities.

  5. Require a defined health impact analysis as in Prince George’s County.

  6. Require bonding and decommissioning provisions.

  7. Prohibit non-disclosure agreements that inhibit review of applicants’ energy and water consumption.


Written comments may be emailed to the Montgomery County Planning Board Chair at mcp-chair@mncppc-mc.org,


FYI Last Public Hearing at the Planning Board on Data Centers:

Read also Montgomery Countryside Alliance's article on the Planning Board hearing from October 2024 here.

 
 
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