County leaders in southern Frederick County, Md. face resident backlash over zoning plans for new data centers near Adamstown.
ADAMSTOWN, Md. — A fight is brewing in southern Frederick County over where new data centers can be built.
On Tuesday night, county leaders reviewed a zoning plan that could expand the data center footprint near Adamstown — and residents are pushing back.
Supporters, including tech industry leaders, say the projects could generate tens of millions of dollars in tax revenue.
“To add over $40 million a year in tax revenues to the county — I think people have to take a look at that very seriously,” said Kelly Schulz with the Maryland Tech Council.
But residents say the cost to their community is too high.
Gene Butler, who lives across from one of the sites, said the diesel generators and truck traffic have already disturbed his family.
“It’s kept my family up for several nights,” he said.
Others raised concerns about noise, water use, and property values.
“I’m petrified that our houses are going to shake, the windows are going to shake,” said Elyse Wilson.
The debate centers on a proposed Critical Digital Infrastructure (CDI) overlay zone, which would restrict large-scale data centers to land near the old Eastalco aluminum plant just north of Adamstown. The overlay would cover about 2,500 acres — less than 1% of Frederick County’s land — and require 500-foot setbacks from nearby homes.
County Executive Jessica Fitzwater has also placed a temporary hold on new applications until Sept. 30, while the council debates the bill.
Dozens of residents testified at recent hearings.
Tuesday night the council took the measure up for a vote. Instead they debated several amendments that residents felt favored their concerns.
But, after several hours of debates only two passed. Concerned neighbors in Adamstown said they weren’t the amendments that addressed their concerns.
To them it doesn’t bode well for the final vote next week.
“There is an election coming up,” farmer Steve Black said. “If this council and these elected officials can’t manage to protect the citizens of this county, then the citizens are going to make some changes in 2026.”