Charles County Commissioners on October 7, 2025, received a briefing on a proposed zoning text amendment to define and regulate data centers, then voted to forward the draft to the Planning Commission for review. The action followed a presentation by Jason Groth, director of the Department of Planning and Growth Management; Charles Rice, planning director; Jim Chandler, director of the Department of Economic Development; and Mark Thompson, chief of commercial development. The draft would allow data centers, subject to conditions, in Business Park, General Industrial, Heavy Industrial, Low-Density Residential, and Planned Unit Development Industrial zones.
Conditions in the proposal include at least 30 percent open space on sites, 200-foot setbacks from property lines, and 400-foot setbacks from residential buildings. Applicants must submit noise and vibration studies to confirm compliance with standards and prioritize non-potable water use. In Low-Density Residential zones, sites require a minimum of 50 acres and must include or adjoin property with a regulated public utility of 230 kilovolts or higher for generation, transmission, or distribution. Staff plan to brief the Planning Commission on October 20, 2025, with a public hearing expected in November.
The morning session, originally set for October 7, was postponed, shifting the data center briefing to the afternoon. This marks part of ongoing efforts to address developer interest in data centers, amid concerns over environmental impacts like water and energy use. Charles County, with about 170,000 residents, seeks to balance economic growth with preservation in its 458 square miles, where zoning ordinances guide development to protect rural character. Data centers, which house servers for computing and storage, have proliferated in Maryland due to proximity to federal agencies and fiber-optic infrastructure, but require robust regulations to mitigate noise, visual intrusion, and resource strain.
In Maryland, zoning text amendments follow a process involving staff drafting, commissioner initiation, Planning Commission review with public input, and final commissioner adoption. Similar proposals elsewhere, such as in Prince William County, Virginia, have imposed comparable setbacks and utility ties to limit sprawl. Charles County’s amendment, labeled ZTA 25-187, aligns with the county’s 2016 Comprehensive Plan update, emphasizing sustainable industrial growth. The county’s economic development strategy targets tech sectors, with data centers potentially adding jobs and tax revenue, though critics note high energy demands could stress local grids.
Commissioners also held a second work session on 2026 state legislative proposals, led by Danielle Mitchell, acting deputy county administrator. They reviewed remaining items and agreed to add three proposals to the package. Earlier sessions in September had advanced 15 proposals, covering areas like housing, public safety, and fiscal policies. The full package, now totaling 18, will seek changes to state laws during the Maryland General Assembly session starting January 2026. Counties submit such packages annually to address local needs, with Charles focusing on funding for infrastructure and opioid response.
Representatives from G.S. Proctor & Associates Inc., the Department of Economic Development, Department of Community Services, Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission, and Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland discussed federal executive orders and budget impacts. Charles County offers resources for affected individuals via the Charles County Resource Connection website, covering community support, education, workforce development, and other programs. Federal worker resources appear on the Department of Economic Development site. This briefing continues from prior sessions, such as one in June 2025, amid federal spending shifts affecting Maryland’s economy, where federal jobs account for significant employment in the region. The state’s fiscal briefing notes federal cuts could increase local costs by $144 million statewide.
Departmental highlights included updates from the Internal Audit Office, Citizens Response Office, and Department of Emergency Services. The Internal Audit Office conducted fraud awareness training in May and June 2025 for 200 selected staff, covering fraud definitions, types, impacts, prevention, and detection. Such training aligns with best practices to safeguard public funds, as fraud risks in government include procurement and payroll schemes.
The Citizens Response Office is launching SeeClickFix 311, allowing residents to report issues via app or website, submit anonymously, and track status. The system went live October 8, 2025, partnering with CivicPlus for 311 CRM software to streamline non-emergency requests like potholes or signage. Similar platforms in other Maryland counties enhance resident engagement and response efficiency.
The Department of Emergency Services partnered with the Charles County Board of Education on a 40-hour Career and Technical Education program for high school students, preparing them for 9-1-1 communications roles. Topics include call taking, legal protocols, stress management, FEMA concepts, and radio operations. Maryland’s CTE programs, overseen by the state Department of Education, offer pathways to certifications and college credits, with public safety tracks addressing workforce shortages in dispatch centers.
On boards and commissions, commissioners reappointed Susan Rice and appointed Brandi Beam as citizen members and Hawa Osime as doctor to the Disability Review Board. They reappointed Betsy Adeboyejo, Rosalyn Dickerson, Krystal Hall, Katrina Logan, Cecelia Maryland-Twyman, Judith Ramsey, and appointed Ashira Vantrees, Rachel Christy, Theresa Clark, Candice Keys, Chavonne Quarles-Stevenson, Michelle Simonds, LaJuan Holeman as citizen members to the Commission for Women. George Grindle was appointed as an alternate to the Board of Appeals. These bodies advise on issues from disability services to women’s equity, with terms typically four years.
Commissioners approved a $54,450 budget amendment to allocate opioid settlement funds for enrolling 121 correctional officers in a readiness program for opioid-related incidents. Maryland’s Opioid Restitution Fund distributes settlement revenues from pharmaceutical companies, with counties using portions for treatment, prevention, and training. Charles County’s allocation supports first responders, amid statewide efforts where settlements total hundreds of millions over years. The county’s detention center handles such training to improve responses to overdoses in custody.
Charles County, part of Southern Maryland’s tri-county area, relies on these meetings to manage growth, with commissioners overseeing a $597 million fiscal 2026 budget emphasizing public safety and economic development. Future sessions include public comments on the first and last meetings monthly.