Planning Commission Delays Action On Data Center Zoning In Charles County

LA PLATA, Md. — The Charles County Planning Commission has delayed a vote on a proposed data center zoning amendment after receiving more than 150 public comments and will hold another work session focused on next steps and possible recommendations.

The discussion took place during a work session on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, where commissioners reviewed public feedback and debated whether to move forward now or wait for additional guidance from ongoing state and federal efforts related to data center development.

The proposal, Zoning Text Amendment #25-187, would define data centers as a land use in the county’s zoning ordinance and set rules for where they could be built and under what conditions. A public hearing was held in November 2025, after which the commission extended the public comment period through Jan. 5, 2026.

Planning staff told commissioners that public comments raised a wide range of issues, including water use, energy demand, environmental impacts, land-use compatibility and concerns about allowing data centers near residential areas. Some comments also acknowledged potential economic benefits tied to job creation and tax revenue.

Maryland Conducting Study On Data Center Impacts

During the discussion, Planning Commission member Dawud Abdur-Rahman raised the issue of an ongoing Maryland-level data center study and questioned whether the county should delay action until the study is completed, which is expected by Sept. 1, 2026.

Maryland lawmakers authorized a statewide study to examine the environmental, energy and economic impacts of data center development. The analysis, approved during the 2025 legislative session, directs the Maryland Department of the Environment, the Maryland Energy Administration and the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, in coordination with the Department of Legislative Services, to evaluate issues such as electricity demand, water use and climate impacts. The final report is due to the governor and the General Assembly by Sept. 1, 2026, and is expected to inform future state guidance and potential legislation related to data center development.

Staff explained that the Planning Commission is required to make a recommendation under current county zoning rules and that any future state guidance could be addressed later through amendments. They also warned that delaying action could push developers to neighboring counties, allowing those jurisdictions to benefit economically while Charles County could still experience regional environmental and infrastructure impacts.

Abdur-Rahman said the issue goes beyond Charles County and reflects a rapidly evolving technology with broader consequences.

“It’s almost not fair that counties are forced to compete against each other on this question,” he said. “This is more than just a Charles County question. It’s a new technology, it’s moving very fast, and we already have climate issues, water issues and energy concerns that people are feeling.”

He also noted that other approaches are being explored internationally to reduce environmental impacts, including alternative facility designs and cooling methods, and said those examples should be part of the broader discussion as the county considers how to move forward.

Planning Commission member Jeffrey Bossart also referenced broader federal-level discussions on data center growth. Bossart said the issue extends beyond local zoning and involves overlapping considerations related to power demand, grid reliability and long-term planning, adding to the complexity facing counties as they weigh how to proceed.

What Happens Next

Rather than voting on the proposal, the Planning Commission voted to continue the work session to a future meeting, tentatively scheduled for March 2, to allow members additional time to review public comments and develop more specific recommendations.

Planning Commission Chairman Kevin Wedding outlined the paths available to commissioners.

“We can deny this ZTA, we can approve it, or we can add recommendations or amendments,” Wedding said. “Ultimately, it’s going to move on from this process and go to the county commissioners, where they will have a public hearing and hear all the facts.”

Once the commission completes its review, it may recommend approval, denial, or approval with amendments. Any recommendation would then be forwarded to the Charles County Commissioners, who would hold their own public hearing and make the final decision.

Watch the Feb. 2 Meeting: CCGTV
See Full Meeting Agenda Here

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