Calvert County Board of County Commissioners Meeting – July 21, 2026

The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners met on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, for its regular meeting, with agenda times scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to about 2:00 p.m. The board approved routine items, heard two public hearings, directed staff to draft a six-month data center moratorium, and received extensive public comment on data centers and other county issues.

Opening & Announcements

• Pastor William Patton of Calvert Lighthouse Church gave the invocation.
• The board approved the open agenda and the closed-session summary for the July 7, 2026 closed session.
• The county recognized recent deaths of Kevin Wells, Dorothy Du Bois Swan, William C. “Smokey” Ward Jr., and Michael Seneco, and announced the Thomas Johnson Bridge remains safe for travel after SHA inspection.
• Commissioner Hance apologized for responding inappropriately when asked about a 2025 event, stating that after reflection he was in fact at the event.
• A shelter employee presented Coco, an 11-year-old dog available for adoption.

Proclamation

• The board proclaimed July 16–27, 2026 as Buy Local Week in Calvert County, encouraging residents to consume one Maryland-grown product daily. County officials, farmers, and producers spoke in support of local agriculture, watermen, and agritourism.

Consent Calendar

• The board approved all five consent agenda items with no opposition:
  1. Governor’s Office for Children FY2027 Children’s Cabinet Interagency Fund and ENOUGH Capacity Building Grant application.
  2. Public Works Waterman’s Wharf slip agreements.
  3. Planning & Zoning 2026 Calvert County Annual Report to the Maryland Department of Planning.
  4. Community Resources Calvert County Health Department Core Funding Agreement.
  5. Public Safety Federal FY2026 Emergency Management Performance Grant application.

New Business

• Planning & Zoning staff presented a proposed twinning relationship between Brooms Island, Calvert County, and Broome Island, Leicestershire, England, focused on cultural and educational exchange. Staff reported positive community interest from the Brooms Island Civic League. The board approved a motion to acknowledge the proposal, transmit the letter, evaluate further, and report back.

Old Business

• The board closed the record and repealed/re-enacted Resolution 03-92 as it applies to the Marley Run Recreation Area buffer change in condition number nine. Staff explained the action reverts the buffer to the prior condition; no new changes were made. The motion carried.

Public Hearing: Master Plan of Town Centers

• Planning & Zoning presented three draft chapters: Chapter 1 (Town Centers), Chapter 2 (Prince Frederick Town Center), and Chapter 3 (Dunkirk Town Center). The Prince Frederick plan had earlier been remanded to the Planning Commission, which found the proposed edge commercial subdistrict consistent with the Comprehensive Plan on March 18, 2026.
• Dunkirk highlights included proposed expansion areas limited to county-owned parcels (Maryland Transit Administration Dunkirk Park and Ride and Dunkirk District Park), 48% impervious surface, 24% tree canopy, 10 historic sites, about seven vacant parcels mostly smaller than 10 acres, and limited sewer capacity. Census data for the Dunkirk area showed 99% homeownership, median home value about $560,000, median monthly mortgage about $2,800, and rents from $1,700 to $3,200, with affordability pressures at 30%, 50%, and 80% of area median income.
• Commissioners discussed the Prince Frederick employment center transition of roughly 150 acres, about 50 usable, with one commissioner saying he was still not for the expansion and had traffic concerns. Staff said detailed zoning would follow the plan and could be shaped later. No written comments had been received for the hearing.
• One speaker, Jennifer Davidson, asked the county to consider a county-funded adult daycare center in one of the parcels.
• The board voted 4-1 to keep the record open and return the matter on August 4, 2026, consistent with the required 10-day deferral period.

Public Hearing: Neeld Estate Shore Erosion Control District

• The Calvert Soil Conservation District reported that the Neeld Estate Citizens’ Association petitioned to create a shore erosion control district for a third headland breakwater. The county would be the borrower on a 20-year, 0% interest DNR loan, repaid by a levy on 118 residential dwellings at $335.47 per assessed residence, with no direct general fund repayment cost. About 83% of residents signed the petition. Nine emails had been received: seven in favor and two against. No public speakers signed up.
• The board directed staff to leave the record open until July 31, 2026, and placed the approval/denial decision on the August 4, 2026 agenda. The motion carried.

Work Session: Data Center Moratorium and AWS Status

• Planning & Zoning Director Jason Brinkley explained the legal process for a moratorium: an ordinance stating justification, duration, and scope; two weekly newspaper notices with the first at least 14 days before a public hearing; and effectiveness no earlier than 10 days after approval.
• The board directed staff to draft a moratorium ordinance, set a public hearing at the earliest convenience, and temporarily suspend approval of data center site plans for six months while the county reviews data center and heavy industrial regulations and performs needed studies.
• Director Brinkley provided an AWS concept plan update: the county issued about 20 pages of comments the prior Monday; the plan did not meet basic stormwater management requirements, so a full concept review could not be completed. AWS may resubmit immediately or within two years, and no resubmission had been received. He also said Natalie had submitted nothing.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Patrick Flaherty urged an immediate six-month moratorium, read draft moratorium language, accused the board of betraying public trust, and cited other Maryland counties that have slowed or stopped data centers.
• Michael Block, a St. Leonard resident, raised infrasound health concerns and argued the industry standard cited does not cover infrasound; he recommended at least a one-year moratorium.
• Nancy Alwine said Constellation “bent the rules” to get forest/farmland rezoned heavy industrial and requested a moratorium, citing over 10,000 petition signatures.
• Carl Elwine, speaking for the Camp Conoy neighborhood, blamed Constellation corporate leadership, not local plant officials, for the comprehensive plan change and opposed heavy industrial zoning.
• William Goodman supported the moratorium as a way to reduce “unknown unknowns” and called for accounting for environmental losses.
• Lynn Zouza, with Concerned Citizens of Calvert, compared the board to King George, said three commissioners lost their elections over the issue, and raised the possibility of lawsuits.
• Roger Shipley, a Lusby resident, expressed disappointment that the board was still discussing process rather than acting, and said he expected further disappointment in August.
• Patty Steckler, a North Beach resident and commissioner-at-large candidate, thanked the board for the moratorium direction, predicted the August 18 vote would pass, and thanked Commissioner Hance for his apology.
• David Huther, a county resident, quoted an AWS representative’s tax revenue comparison and asked the board to disclose expected revenue and whether it would offset existing residents’ taxes; he said he personally considers data centers efficient revenue generators but wants details.
• Myra Gowan, with Calvert Citizens United, criticized a proposed 276-unit apartment project on Johnny Gott’s property, alleging an altered memorandum of understanding and questioning Commissioner Ireland’s participation.
• Sherry Verden thanked the board for the Marley Run decision and Commissioner Hance’s apology, linked water/sewer rate history to the AWS timeline, and asked the board to release an alleged email to Mr. Natalie.
• Kyle Russell, Commodore of the Solomon’s Island Model Boat Club, alleged ADA violations, retaliation, and discriminatory statements by museum leadership, and asked for immediate suspension pending termination of the director and deputy director plus restoration of his access.
• Jeff Dixon celebrated 10,000 petition signatures, cited pollution from Canadian wildfire smoke, and proposed a five-mile sound-barrier radius, Tier 4 generators, a 70-foot sound wall, and a moratorium.
• Kat Decker said data center infrastructure is already moving forward with modular trailers and a tenant substation at Calvert Cliffs, called it a “foot-in-the-door” strategy, and urged impact studies before permits.
• Vivek Ravi, with the Center for Engagement, Environmental Justice and Health Impact Communities, cited CDC environmental justice data showing 9,785 Calvert residents (10.5% of the county) live in the most burdened zones and asked that the moratorium include environmental justice assessments.
• Joe Young, a virtual speaker from Owings, supported the moratorium and said the board represents voters, not wealthy investors.
• Andrew Furman, with White Sands Community Action Organization, urged the board to evaluate and formally decertify emergency evacuation scenario/model 14, arguing it could route south-county residents near the nuclear plant during an emergency if the Thomas Johnson Bridge is closed; he also opposed adding industrial load without a replacement bridge.

Commissioners Reports

• Commissioner Hart called the moratorium direction “a good start,” favored moving to a two-year study period, thanked petition organizers for more than 10,000 signatures, and offered condolences.
• Commissioner Hance encouraged residents to support local farmers markets and watermen throughout the summer.
• Commissioner Grasso announced North Beach Volunteer Fire Department’s 100th anniversary in August, reported on local events, and thanked constituents.
• The board adjourned by voice vote.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the agenda and July 7, 2026 closed-session summary.
• Proclaimed Buy Local Week July 16–27, 2026.
• Approved five consent agenda items.
• Approved the Brooms Island/Broome Island twinning proposal and directed further evaluation.
• Closed the record and approved the Marley Run buffer amendment resolution reverting condition nine.
• Continued the Town Center Master Plan public hearing to August 4, 2026 with the record open, by a 4-1 vote.
• Directed the Neeld Estate SECD record to remain open through July 31, 2026, with a decision set for August 4, 2026.
• Directed staff to draft a data center moratorium ordinance for a public hearing and to temporarily suspend data center site-plan approvals for six months.
• Acknowledged AWS’s concept plan was returned for stormwater deficiencies and noted no resubmission or Natalie submission was pending.