Regular Meeting of the Calvert County Board of County Commissioners - May 5, 2026

The Board of County Commissioners convened at 9:00 a.m. on May 5, 2026, with an invocation by Pastor Kathy Kinzer-Downs of Freedom Ministries, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The agenda was approved unanimously. The meeting included four proclamations, a consent agenda of five items, two new business items, a public hearing, a presentation from the Calvert Library, public comment dominated by concerns over proposed data centers, and commissioner reports with motions regarding a data center moratorium and text amendments.

Proclamations

• Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders Awareness Month (May 2026): Presented by Commissioner Hance. Speakers described EDS as a group of 13 heritable connective tissue disorders affecting at least 1 in 5,000 individuals. The proclamation recognizes the need for awareness and better medical access.
• Lights Out Month (May 2026): Presented by Commissioner Hart. Environmental Commission members and partners spoke about light pollution harming migratory birds. Birdcast.org estimated 3,492,900 migratory birds crossed Calvert County the previous night. Commissioner Hart expressed concern about appearing hypocritical given potential development in the same area.
• National Water Safety Month (May 2026): Presented by Commissioner Cox. Parks and Recreation staff highlighted that Calvert County offers more than 700 Red Cross swim lessons per year (the most in Maryland), and noted the county's 243 miles of shoreline.
• Children's Mental Health Awareness Week (May 3-9, 2026): Presented by Commissioner Grasso. Health department and school representatives emphasized resources including 988 crisis line, mobile crisis team, local care team, and school-based services. Commissioner Grasso shared personal family experience.

Consent Calendar

All five items were approved unanimously:

1. Annual Health Insurance Renewal Plan Year July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027.
2. Health Insurance Subsidy for Retirees Fiscal Year 2027.
3. Transferable Development Rights Reserve Conveyance to Solomons Condo Project, LLC.
4. Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure Application for Hallowing Point Park Basketball Court Renovation.
5. Lease for the Health Department's Chesapeake Beach Location.

New Business

• Fifth Amendment to Employees’ Retirement Savings Plan Loan Provisions: Approved unanimously. The amendment removes the four specific hardship categories and allows participants to take loans for any personal financial reason within IRS guidelines, with interest paid back to their own accounts.
• Approval of Calvert Marine Museum 2026–2030 Strategic Plan: Approved unanimously. The plan was developed with a consultant and stakeholder input, and includes four strategic goals: making the museum a destination, maximizing regional impact, improving site functionality, and ensuring future sustainability. The plan is required to maintain American Alliance of Museums accreditation.

Public Hearing

• Budget Amendment for Armory Site Development – Rural Maryland Economic Development Grant Award Adjustment: The county received an additional $176,541 in state grant funds due to reallocation from another county. The record was left open for 10 days pursuant to Local Government Article §9-105, with a future decision date to be set.

Presentation

• Calvert Library Annual Report and Strategic Plan: Executive Director Carrie Wilson reported that more than a third of county residents are active library users. FY25 statistics included: nearly 300,000 digital checkouts, 127,000 research sessions, over 12,000 Wi-Fi sessions, almost 58,000 event attendees, 2,700+ classes/events, and 145 volunteers donating nearly 6,000 hours. The new strategic roadmap (2026–2031) focuses on reimagining access, cultivating curious minds, and fostering connection. Plans include a new southern county library (planning in FY28, construction FY29-30) and a facility master plan.

Public Comments & Testimony

Numerous speakers addressed the board, predominantly opposing data center development in southern Calvert County. Key points included:

• Sherry Verdon (individual): Argued the comprehensive plan still requires preservation and that zoning for data centers conflicts with it.
• Patrick Clarity (commissioner candidate): Called for a full reset, removal of data center language from zoning, and independent studies.
• Multiple residents (Andrea Smith, Eli, Eleanor, Shanna Godestart, and others): Expressed concerns about noise, water usage, environmental impacts, proximity to schools, and distrust due to non-disclosure agreements and fast-tracking.
• Carl L. Wine (Camp Kanoy residents): Said Constellation Energy has refused to communicate with neighbors; opposed behind-the-meter power arrangements.
• Jeff Dixon (individual): Played a video of data center noise from Loudoun County; urged a two-year moratorium and a student safety zone.
• Kenneth Lee (individual): Noted he observed no bees or birds near data centers in Virginia.
• Kathy Decker (Calvert Citizens for Student Safety and Responsible Development, online): Argued proclamations on water safety and mental health are contradicted by allowing data centers that consume millions of gallons of water and create noise near schools.
• Dylan Johnson (online, individual): Supported data centers, arguing tax revenue benefits and that noise concerns can be mitigated with buffers; criticized an environmental commission member for misidentifying generators.
• Myra Gowins (Calvert Citizens United): Raised residency concerns about commissioner candidate Kelly McConkie, stating he does not live in the district he claims.

Discussion Items

• Data Center Moratorium and Text Amendments: Commissioner Grasso initially moved for a 12-month moratorium, then withdrew to support Commissioner Hart's motion for a two-year moratorium. After debate, Hart's motion failed (2-3). Commissioner Hance then moved to direct staff, when drafting future text amendments on data centers, to include language that any new regulations apply to projects that have not received all final site plan and permit approvals and vested by construction, and that no fast-track process is allowed. The motion further directed that no grandfathering be permitted. This motion passed (4-1, with Commissioner Grasso voting no). Staff clarified that a partial application from AWS was received the previous evening but not yet formally accepted; the normal development review process will be followed. The environmental commission and planning commission are scheduled to present text amendment recommendations on June 2, 2026.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously.
• Fifth Amendment to the Employees’ Retirement Savings Plan Loan Provisions approved unanimously.
• Calvert Marine Museum 2026–2030 Strategic Plan approved unanimously.
• Public hearing record for budget amendment BA2026-0815 left open for 10 days.
• Commissioner Hart's motion for a two-year moratorium on data center approvals failed (2-3).
• Commissioner Hance's motion to require that future data center text amendments apply to all unvested projects, eliminate grandfathering, and prohibit fast-tracking passed (4-1).
• Staff directed to process the AWS application through the standard review cycle without expediting.