There were key siting, design, and location requirements in the legislation. Among them are that CDI facilities and substations may only be in Limited Industrial (LI) or General Industrial (GI) zones, within a Community Growth Area, and located within two miles of 69KV+ transmission lines.

The bill also prohibits data center facilities and infrastructure from being sited in Priority Preservation Areas (PPA); Rural Legacy Areas (RLA); Treasured Landscape Management Areas; and areas with No Planned Service (NPS) designation in the Water and Sewerage Plan. Additionally, sites may not abut residential-zoned or designated properties, unless 200-foot setbacks are applied.

The legislation also contained design and development standards. Among these are increased setbacks for CDI facilities: now 300 feet lot width and 100-foot minimum yard setbacks (or more if adjacent to residential areas). It increased the maximum building height to 75 feet for CDI facilities. The legislation also protects livability by establishing visual buffers with landscaping, fencing, or walls for screening requirements. CDI facilities must minimize visual impacts to scenic, historic, or preservation areas through viewshed analysis.

The bill also sets strict noise limits depending on adjacent land use (e.g., 55 dB for residential). This bill, CB 25-05 requires sound and vibration studies before approval, and biennial testing after occupancy, and Dark Sky principles, such as capped lighting to avoid light pollution and wildlife disruption.

Bill 25-05 also requires generators to meet EPA Tier 4 standards. Testing will be limited to weekdays, 8 to 5, for 60 minutes max. Above-ground fuel tanks are limited to 20,000 gallons per building, with strict setbacks, containment, and spill protection.

Applicants also must demonstrate efforts to avoid or minimize negative impacts on schools, residences, and non-industrial neighbors; fragile ecosystems and watersheds;

historic and recreational sites; and overburdened or underserved communities (as per Maryland law).

The bill also has a transitional provision for facilities or substations that submitted site plans before the bill’s effective date (July 19, 2025) are exempt from the new requirements.

Also on May 20, the County Council adopted Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater’s FY26 budget, which emphasized major investments in education and essential services without increasing taxes.

Key Highlights:

• Education: Over $508 million allocated, a 30% increase over three years.
• School Construction: $175 million dedicated, up 86% from the prior year.
• Employee Compensation: New $21/hour minimum base pay; 2% salary increase for all employees starting January 1, 2026.
• Senior Services: Expansion at Middletown 50+ Community Center and plans for additional centers.
• Affordable Housing: Support for development on County-owned land.
• Public Safety: Funding Sheriff’s Office training facilities and added resources for the State’s Attorney’s Office.
• Fiscal Responsibility: Reserves and pension obligations maintained; strategic financial planning supports AAA bond rating.

Finally, I am working on legislation making it illegal for the sale of invasive bamboo in Frederick County. I will have more details on this proposed legislation in the future as I formulate a bill.

The Frederick County Council encourages public involvement at every stage of the legislative process. We welcome public comment at every Council meeting on Tuesday evenings. Members of the public are welcome to attend and give comment in person, leave a voicemail to be forwarded to each Council Member, or email us any time at councilmembers@frederickcountymd.gov. Please visit our website at www.frederickcountymd.gov/countycouncil to view our latest agendas, legislation, and upcoming calendar of events.

And as always, if there is anything I can do for you, please feel free to reach out to me and my office. You can contact me via email at: BYoung@FrederickCountyMD.gov, or you can call my office at 301-600-1108.

The Frederick County Council meets regularly on Tuesday evenings at 5:30 at Winchester Hall, located at 12 East Church Street in downtown Frederick. All meetings are open to the public, and we welcome public participation. Members of the public are welcome to attend in person or participate over the phone.