Charles County Data Center Zoning Amendment Revised, Heads Back To Public Hearing June 1

LA PLATA, Md. — A revised proposal that could reshape where data centers are allowed in Charles County is heading into another round of public review, with a revised amendment scheduled for a Planning Commission public hearing Monday, June 1, 2026.

The Charles County Planning Commission received an updated briefing Monday, May 4, 2026, on Zoning Text Amendment No. 25-187, a proposal tied to future data center development in the county. A public hearing on the revised amendment is scheduled for Monday, June 1, 2026, at 6 p.m. at the Charles County Government Building in La Plata, with both in-person and virtual participation available.

Timeline Of The Data Center

The amendment has moved through a lengthy public process since the Board of County Commissioners first authorized staff to begin work with the Planning Commission on Oct. 7, 2025. A public hearing followed Nov. 17, 2025, drawing more than 150 written comments before the comment period closed Jan. 5, 2026 — residents raised concerns about water consumption, grid strain, environmental impacts and proximity to neighborhoods.

The Planning Commission held work sessions on Feb. 2 and March 2, 2026, before voting March 2 to recommend denial of the ZTA as written. Along with that recommendation, commissioners offered a list of considerations for any revised draft: limit data centers to Heavy Industrial zones, ban potable water use for cooling, require self-generated power, place all infrastructure costs on the developer. The commission also encouraged the county to weigh a statewide data center impact study due to the governor and General Assembly by September 2026.

The Board of County Commissioners received the Planning Commission’s report on April 21, 2026, and voted 3-2 to move forward with a revised amendment, sending it back to the Planning Commission for a new public hearing.

What Changed In The Revised Draft

The revised amendment, briefed to the Planning Commission on May 4, reflects several of the commission’s earlier recommendations. Here is what changed from the original:

Business Park and Low-Density Residential zones removed — data centers would now only be permitted with conditions in General Industrial and Heavy Industrial zones. The Planned Unit Development Industrial zone remains eligible, as land use there is governed separately under Docket 90 and the Planned Unit Development Review Board.
Residential setback increased from 400 feet to 500 feet.
The 30% open-space requirement removed, as the proposal now applies only to industrially zoned land. Forest conservation, stormwater management and buffer and screening requirements still apply.
Water language strengthened — the original draft said non-potable water use was “prioritized”; the revised text states that if a data center uses water for cooling or humidification, only non-potable water shall be used.
Developers required to pay for all public infrastructure improvements.
Diesel generators required to meet emission performance standards.
Iron fencing added as a permitted perimeter screening option.
Public engagement meeting requirement maintained and extended to all permitted zones.

How To Participate

Residents can weigh in at the June 1 hearing in person or virtually, or by submitting written comments in advance.

In person: Speaker sign-up opens 30 minutes before the hearing at the Charles County Government Building and closes when the hearing begins.
Virtual: Registration to speak must be received by 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 29, 2026, through the Planning Commission virtual meeting information page.
Written comments: Accepted through 4:30 p.m. May 29 via the e-comment form at charlescountymd.gov or by mail to Charles County Planning Commission, 200 Baltimore Street, La Plata, MD 20646. Mailed comments must be received by May 29.

Each speaker is allotted three minutes. Amendment documents will be available beginning May 15, 2026, through the Department of Planning and Growth Management and online.

Watch the full May 4, 2026, Planning Commission briefing on CCGTV and see the full agenda and documents here.