Planning Board Meeting and Public Hearing, September 3, 2026

The Baltimore County Planning Board held a public hearing on September 3, 2026, to discuss a staff report on data centers in response to County Council Bill 326. The report provided a fact-finding overview of data centers, including their electricity and water usage, economic impact, and permitting considerations. Key recommendations included requiring data centers to undergo full development review with community input, imposing minimum lot sizes and setbacks, prohibiting data centers in residential and resource conservation zones, and mandating verification of utility capacity and water infrastructure agreements. The board also discussed extending the moratorium on data center permits to December 31, 2027. Public testimony was extensive, with many residents expressing concerns about environmental impacts, noise, water and energy consumption, and community effects, while some union representatives and business groups highlighted job creation and economic benefits. The board acknowledged the need to balance economic development with environmental protection and community interests as it moves forward with regulatory recommendations.