Two MLC league sponsors require a lot of MDC's: Cognizant: https://www.cognizant.com/us/en, (NTTData) https://www.nttdata.com/global/en/, not to mention Remitly.
A number of you received campaign contributions from folks who've spoken for the Cricket Stadium, and also folks supporting Data Centers.
Put the pieces together.
My family and I have been residents of Frederick County since it's creation 278 years ago.
I appreciate the description of the Loudoun County process regarding Data Centers. It's an exceptional report. It is clear that Loudoun County has come a long way in nearly 3 decades. From what we know now, the quality of life there for residents for miles around the data centers has been destroyed; health issues are notable; and cost factors continue to increase rapidly. Tthe Potomac River has been diminished to a dangerous incapacity to survive.
Frederick County has demonstrated that it did not have the leadership in 2021 that was qualified to understand what pitfalls were in store. Maryland got a Governor who was sold the goods of data centers. He chose Jessica Fitzwater to carry out the plans, developed by outside influence. It was about the big money involved, not the big liabilities that would occur. The work group that Fitwater gathered, had little experience to deal with the complexity of what was being proposed by the developers of the Quantum Loophole property. By the time the "purpose" of the group was fulfilled the next logical step in the planners minds was to move ahead full steam. Developers, Industry, and the eventual tenants became the driving forces behind the next steps.
Frederick City Council is being asked to take the same leap. As decision-makers, I don't think you would disagree that you do not have the technical qualifications to deal with the information provided to you about data centers, to assess the benefits, the impacts, the liabilities, legal and otherwise. You are being asked to perform to the codes and standards and the laws set by government agencies, that are not nimble and that do not have the experience or qualifications to manage something this complex, learning as they go, to the disadvantage of their constituents. If you chose to go that way that Frederick County did, you will be stuck with the industry that wants something, telling you way it needs to be for them, and NOW.
Please tell them NO. Tell them that Frederick City does not want their business. You are aware of the horrible mess the County leadership has gotten itself into on so many fronts. Use your experience, do your own research and and collaborate with each other and your constituents to achieve what is best for Frederick and it's residents. Tell the data center business and their "experts" that Frederick City's Council is not for sale.
This review of what Loudoun County has gone through and all of the many specifics that the author underlines MUST be done before any data center development should be allowed, leads me to the simple conclusion that the simplest way forward is to just say NO THANK YOU. Yes, they are promising the City a lot of revenue, but the unlisted, indirect costs are high and the life expectancy of hyperscale data centers is short. In many cases, the life-expectancy of a data center is equal to or less than the duration of whatever tax accommodations they have asked for and received. Also, to be sure you are correctly reading the pulse of your constituents, when talking about SMRs as a potential best path forward for power generation, call them what they are - nuclear reactors... fission, not fusion. Find another way to balance the budget and carry Frederick forward untainted by inappropriate development. Keith Whitaker
Thank you for bringing in a seasoned municipal expert to share real-life data center development experiences. I urge you to focus closely on the word "minimum" from that presentation.
On slide 19, Mr. Turner highlighted community integration best practices. He stated that a 500-foot setback from residential lines is the absolute minimum, but 1,000+ feet is preferred.
As you sit in front of the community you represent, I ask a fundamental question: Were you elected to do the bare minimum for us, or to protect this community to your maximum ability?
Data centers generate documented high-and low-frequency noise pollution that directly impacts human health. Please take the advice of your own industry experts along with numerous published studies ( I've shared on another comment) If you move forward with this text amendment, modify it to ensure no data center campus is closer than 1,000+ feet from the nearest residential property line.
Do not settle for the minimum when our health and quality of life are on the line.
Two MLC league sponsors require a lot of MDC's: Cognizant: https://www.cognizant.com/us/en, (NTTData) https://www.nttdata.com/global/en/, not to mention Remitly.
A number of you received campaign contributions from folks who've spoken for the Cricket Stadium, and also folks supporting Data Centers.
Put the pieces together.
My family and I have been residents of Frederick County since it's creation 278 years ago.
I appreciate the description of the Loudoun County process regarding Data Centers. It's an exceptional report. It is clear that Loudoun County has come a long way in nearly 3 decades. From what we know now, the quality of life there for residents for miles around the data centers has been destroyed; health issues are notable; and cost factors continue to increase rapidly. Tthe Potomac River has been diminished to a dangerous incapacity to survive.
Frederick County has demonstrated that it did not have the leadership in 2021 that was qualified to understand what pitfalls were in store. Maryland got a Governor who was sold the goods of data centers. He chose Jessica Fitzwater to carry out the plans, developed by outside influence. It was about the big money involved, not the big liabilities that would occur. The work group that Fitwater gathered, had little experience to deal with the complexity of what was being proposed by the developers of the Quantum Loophole property. By the time the "purpose" of the group was fulfilled the next logical step in the planners minds was to move ahead full steam. Developers, Industry, and the eventual tenants became the driving forces behind the next steps.
Frederick City Council is being asked to take the same leap. As decision-makers, I don't think you would disagree that you do not have the technical qualifications to deal with the information provided to you about data centers, to assess the benefits, the impacts, the liabilities, legal and otherwise. You are being asked to perform to the codes and standards and the laws set by government agencies, that are not nimble and that do not have the experience or qualifications to manage something this complex, learning as they go, to the disadvantage of their constituents. If you chose to go that way that Frederick County did, you will be stuck with the industry that wants something, telling you way it needs to be for them, and NOW.
Please tell them NO. Tell them that Frederick City does not want their business. You are aware of the horrible mess the County leadership has gotten itself into on so many fronts. Use your experience, do your own research and and collaborate with each other and your constituents to achieve what is best for Frederick and it's residents. Tell the data center business and their "experts" that Frederick City's Council is not for sale.
This review of what Loudoun County has gone through and all of the many specifics that the author underlines MUST be done before any data center development should be allowed, leads me to the simple conclusion that the simplest way forward is to just say NO THANK YOU. Yes, they are promising the City a lot of revenue, but the unlisted, indirect costs are high and the life expectancy of hyperscale data centers is short. In many cases, the life-expectancy of a data center is equal to or less than the duration of whatever tax accommodations they have asked for and received. Also, to be sure you are correctly reading the pulse of your constituents, when talking about SMRs as a potential best path forward for power generation, call them what they are - nuclear reactors... fission, not fusion. Find another way to balance the budget and carry Frederick forward untainted by inappropriate development. Keith Whitaker
Dear City Council,
Thank you for bringing in a seasoned municipal expert to share real-life data center development experiences. I urge you to focus closely on the word "minimum" from that presentation.
On slide 19, Mr. Turner highlighted community integration best practices. He stated that a 500-foot setback from residential lines is the absolute minimum, but 1,000+ feet is preferred.
As you sit in front of the community you represent, I ask a fundamental question: Were you elected to do the bare minimum for us, or to protect this community to your maximum ability?
Data centers generate documented high-and low-frequency noise pollution that directly impacts human health. Please take the advice of your own industry experts along with numerous published studies ( I've shared on another comment) If you move forward with this text amendment, modify it to ensure no data center campus is closer than 1,000+ feet from the nearest residential property line.
Do not settle for the minimum when our health and quality of life are on the line.
Sincerely,
Chad DiMarzo- Resident of Frederick