Department of Planning & Zoning: Environmental Commission’s Data Center Recommendations
Calvert County Board of County Commissioners · 5055-16 ·
Presentation
What the bill says
On the agenda for Board of County Commissioners — 2026-06-02 — 2026-06-02. Agenda section: PRESENTATION
Background
The Calvert County Environmental Commission was created in 1975 by Resolution 11-75. The Commission’s mission is to prepare and submit recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) pertaining to matters affecting the environment of Calvert County.
Discussion
In October 2025, the Environmental Commission began evaluating the potential environmental impacts of locating data centers in Calvert County. On April 2, 2026, the Commission submitted its recommendation to the BOCC. On April 3, 2026, the County Administrator responded with questions, requesting a response by April 6, 2026. Because there was not sufficient time to convene a special meeting, the Commission’s staff liaison compiled individual member input and provided a consolidated response on April 6, 2026. At the BOCC’s April 7, 2026 meeting, the Board directed staff to request a joint discussion between the Planning Commission and the Environmental Commission to further examine the environmental impacts of locating data centers in Calvert County. A joint meeting of the two commissions was held on April 15, 2026. During this meeting, both commissions discussed their concerns and the Environmental Commission provided comments for consideration as the Planning Commission develops its recommendations to the BOCC.
Extracted from the source document (public record).
Documents
What analysts say
No independent (CBO/CRS-style) analysis exists for county measures. The nearest analog is the sponsoring department's own assessment, from its staff memo — self-reported, not independent:
Fiscal Impact (staff-reported)
None.
Conclusion/Recommendation (staff-reported)
Staff requests the Board of County Commissioners and Environmental Commission discuss the environmental implications of locating data centers in Calvert County.
Reported by the sponsoring department — Department of Planning & Zoning in its own memo, not an independent estimate. Source memo.
What politicians say
No linked claims or utterances yet — no one on record has cited this measure to justify a public argument.