ZTA 26-01

Called the ZTA premature and questioned Atmosphere's unverified green-energy claims, urging performance standards and a moratorium.

Testifying for County Executive Elrich, she supported the ZTA as a starting point and offered additions: clean energy requirements, water protections, low-frequency noise standards — and openness to a six-month moratorium.

The Planning Board chair relayed the board's February 17 recommendations: clarify self-contained facilities, create size sub-definitions, allow existing non-industrial sites, and address energy, heat, and potable water.

A landowner with 50+ acres near existing transmission lines asked that her agricultural land be considered as a candidate data center site.

Representing Atmosphere DC, he supported stringent standards generally but opposed a moratorium and asked for metal fences on non-road-fronting sites.

A Dickerson farmer and retired cooling-systems engineer warned toxic glycol in closed-loop pipes above the sole-source aquifer could poison drinking water if a pipe broke.

Montgomery Agricultural Producers supported the ZTA as written while urging protection of the Agricultural Reserve and examination of energy costs on farmers.

The Maryland Tech Council CEO said clear zoning rules reduce uncertainty and cited Loudoun County's $26-in-revenue-per-$1-in-services ratio.

The county Farm Bureau president supported the ZTA with amendments, urging infrastructure-first siting and recycled water for cooling.

Montgomery Countryside Alliance asked for a pause, heavy-industrial siting for hyperscale, an independent cost-benefit analysis, and keeping the sole-source aquifer off-limits.