July 16, 2026, Meeting and Public Hearing

The Baltimore County Planning Board held a meeting on July 16, 2026, which included discussions on zoning amendments, data center development regulations, and water supply and sewage plan amendments. A significant portion of the meeting focused on a moratorium and study regarding hyperscale data centers, including their location restrictions, water and electricity usage, noise concerns, and regulatory recommendations. The board voted to schedule a hybrid public hearing on the data center study report for September 3, 2026. Additionally, the board reviewed three petitions related to water supply and sewage plan amendments, including requests to reclassify properties for public water and sewer connections, notably for a church and an Islamic center. Public testimony supported these petitions emphasizing health, safety, and community benefits. The board noted that a vote on the water and sewage plan amendments would occur at the September 17, 2026 meeting. The meeting also included reports on landmark preservation and zoning regulation updates, including capital improvement benefits tied to a planned unit development. Overall, the meeting addressed procurement-related topics such as infrastructure improvements, regulatory frameworks for data centers, and capital contributions for public facilities.