Planning for the Future We Want

Baltimore County faces a defining choice about how we use our land, power our economy and protect our communities. Data centers are not a growth strategy—they are a land use decision with outsized environmental costs and limited public return.

We have a better path.

Baltimore County is rich with underused commercial corridors and greyfield sites that can be transformed into vibrant, mixed-use communities; places that create real jobs, attract long-term investment and strengthen our tax base. Allowing massive, energy-intensive data centers to occupy that land undermines revitalization efforts and crowds out the people-centered growth our county needs.

Smart growth means investing in communities—not sacrificing them.

Innovation Without Sacrifice

Advanced computing, research and innovation are critical to our economic future. But innovation does not require dropping massive server farms next to neighborhoods, schools and sensitive ecosystems.

Data centers consume enormous amounts of energy and water, create few permanent jobs relative to their footprint and often require special zoning exceptions that weaken environmental protections. Without strict standards, they place real burdens on surrounding communities while offering limited local benefit.

Baltimore County must draw a clear line: innovation yes—environmental shortcuts no.

Clear Rules, Strong Standards

We must modernize our land-use code to ensure that data centers, if permitted at all, meet rigorous, non-negotiable standards that protect residents and the environment.

Nick Stewart will pursue a clear, enforceable, and community-first approach to data centers and advanced computing in Baltimore County:

• Siting and Zoning: Tighten the zoning code for data centers to limit where they can be sited and prevent them from displacing higher-value, mixed-use redevelopment opportunities
• Full Energy Self-Sufficiency: Require full energy responsibility, including on-site generation or verified off-site clean energy procurement, so data centers do not burden residents or regional infrastructure
• End Loopholes: Eliminate special exemptions and spot zoning, ensuring every proposal follows the same rules, environmental reviews, and public standards
• Communities First: Prioritize redevelopment of greyfields and aging corridors for housing, mixed-use communities and job-rich development that delivers long-term economic value
• Protect our Climate: Align land-use decisions with climate and sustainability goals, protecting air quality, water resources and neighborhood health. 

Smart Growth, Not Server Farms

Smart planning is not anti-growth. It is pro-community, pro-jobs and pro-sustainability. 

Baltimore County’s future should be built on people, opportunity and innovation—not server farms that offer little in return.