Frederick Planning Commission raises concerns over proposed city data center rules
Trammell Crow is seeking rules that would allow qualifying data centers by right on industrial land, while planning officials and commissioners are asking for more city oversight.
HERE'S WHAT WE KNOW
Trammell Crow is seeking a city zoning amendment for data centers. The proposal would make qualifying data centers a by-right use on certain industrial land. City planning staff have recommended a floating-zone approach instead. Several Planning Commission members have raised concerns about impacts and oversight. Four properties currently meet the proposed criteria, according to the source material. The City Council has an Oct. 8 work session scheduled. No final decision has been made.
The City of Frederick is moving toward a major policy decision on data centers as planning commissioners review a developer-backed zoning amendment while the City Council separately considers a possible moratorium.
Trammell Crow is continuing to pursue an amendment to Frederick’s land management code that would establish rules allowing data centers on qualifying industrial properties inside the city.
The proposal dates to December, when the company and local land-use attorney Bruce Dean began seeking changes involving Trammell Crow properties near Gas House Pike.
The city currently has no specific zoning provision identifying data centers as a permitted land use. The County’s data center moratorium does not automatically apply to property within Frederick city limits.
Under Trammell Crow’s proposal, data center infrastructure could become a by-right use in qualifying light and heavy industrial zones.
That means a project meeting all required zoning standards could proceed without an additional discretionary approval process.
City planning staff have recommended a different approach.
They have suggested using a floating zone, which would require a separate rezoning application and City Council review whenever a data center is proposed. Planning Director Gabrielle Collard said that structure would allow more project-specific evaluation against the comprehensive plan.
Several Planning Commission members expressed concern about allowing the use by right.
Commissioner Luis Montes said data centers have enough potential impact that they should receive additional review.
Vice Chair Robert Robey said the city needs a mechanism to limit how many facilities ultimately get built.
The discussion also included concerns about property values, electricity demand, noise, environmental effects and the long-term character of the city.
Trammell Crow representatives argued that requiring another approval step could add significant cost, delay and uncertainty for developers.
The debate is happening while the City Council prepares to discuss whether Frederick should temporarily pause data center development.
The city calendar confirms a City Council work session on Oct. 8, the date identified in the source material for discussion of a potential moratorium.
The Planning Commission must eventually make a recommendation on the zoning amendment before the City Council begins its own formal consideration.
Residents speaking at the workshop largely urged caution, arguing that Frederick should better understand potential impacts before establishing permanent rules. Others said the city should weigh those concerns against potential tax benefits from industrially zoned properties.
No final decision has been made on either the zoning amendment or a city moratorium.
WHAT IT MEANS
The key policy question is not simply whether Frederick permits data centers.
It is also whether qualifying projects should be allowed automatically once standards are met or whether each proposal should require an additional City Council review.
That distinction could determine how much control the city retains over future expansion.
Original reporting referenced by Everything Frederick:
The Frederick News-Post — Reporting by Katelynn Winebrenner; City of Frederick →Want more Frederick updates like this?
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