Who do you think will win MoCo county exec?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the deal with data centers? Is anyone actually planning to allow them and not block them? And where would they even go? Any insights?

They are already allowed by zoning, in industrial areas. Not perfectly, which is why the ZTA change was introduced in January - to create a specific definition of "data center" rather than rely on "cable communications system."

There isn't much industrial zoning in the county.

The Dickerson site is perfect for a data center. On already industrial disturbed land that can't be farmed or used for housing. It would make the PFAS disaster at the old public safety training academy site look like child's play. It's an industry that doesn't create a lot of jobs, which is unfortunate, but you don't want to put tons of jobs up in Dickerson where the roads can't support more commuting. The data center should be crafted in the most environmentally-responsible way possible, but it's a good use of that land.

Here's the main thing. We keep shutting down business development here. There are legal pathways to create business, but when some people get mad, we pull the rug out from under the businesses, who have in many cases, already invested significant amounts of money. Nobody trusts us to be predictable. Businesses can handle more regulation. But they NEED predictability. And that is where County leadership FAILS miserably, time and time again. Today it's picking on a data center. Tomorrow it will be something else. And there will be no new businesses to help increase our tax base. It will just get piled on property owners in the county. Every three or four years or so. Hope you are all happy paying those increases.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the deal with data centers? Is anyone actually planning to allow them and not block them? And where would they even go? Any insights?

Glass was the first person to support a moratorium. It was narrowly defeated by a 3-2 committee vote. Jawando conveniently recently proposed a more aggressive moratorium (which Mink has been all over).

Jawando announced he was doing a bill in February. Glass introduced a bill in May. The bill that Glass introduced wouldn’t have affected Dickerson, while Jawando’s bill would.

The more important thing is that Friedson has opposed both bills during candidate forums. Friedson has received a lot of help from a super PAC funded by big tech and developers, so it’s not politically possible for him to be strong on data centers. We can’t have Friedson. It has to be Glass or Jawando.

And that right there is why I am choosing Glass. I want a county executive who actually does things, as opposed to saying he will do things. Glass has a record of actually doing the work and getting bills through. Not posturing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the deal with data centers? Is anyone actually planning to allow them and not block them? And where would they even go? Any insights?

Glass was the first person to support a moratorium. It was narrowly defeated by a 3-2 committee vote. Jawando conveniently recently proposed a more aggressive moratorium (which Mink has been all over).

Jawando announced he was doing a bill in February. Glass introduced a bill in May. The bill that Glass introduced wouldn’t have affected Dickerson, while Jawando’s bill would.

The more important thing is that Friedson has opposed both bills during candidate forums. Friedson has received a lot of help from a super PAC funded by big tech and developers, so it’s not politically possible for him to be strong on data centers. We can’t have Friedson. It has to be Glass or Jawando.

And that right there is why I am choosing Glass. I want a county executive who actually does things, as opposed to saying he will do things. Glass has a record of actually doing the work and getting bills through. Not posturing.

So you preferred a flawed bill that would allow the data center at Dickerson to proceed over a bill that would stop the data center at Dickerson and have a longer moratorium? Interesting perspective. Jawando and Glass introduced their bills days apart. I’m happy that Jawando took a few more days to make sure that his bill would impact Dickerson.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the deal with data centers? Is anyone actually planning to allow them and not block them? And where would they even go? Any insights?

Glass was the first person to support a moratorium. It was narrowly defeated by a 3-2 committee vote. Jawando conveniently recently proposed a more aggressive moratorium (which Mink has been all over).

Jawando announced he was doing a bill in February. Glass introduced a bill in May. The bill that Glass introduced wouldn’t have affected Dickerson, while Jawando’s bill would.

The more important thing is that Friedson has opposed both bills during candidate forums. Friedson has received a lot of help from a super PAC funded by big tech and developers, so it’s not politically possible for him to be strong on data centers. We can’t have Friedson. It has to be Glass or Jawando.

And that right there is why I am choosing Glass. I want a county executive who actually does things, as opposed to saying he will do things. Glass has a record of actually doing the work and getting bills through. Not posturing.

So you preferred a flawed bill that would allow the data center at Dickerson to proceed over a bill that would stop the data center at Dickerson and have a longer moratorium? Interesting perspective. Jawando and Glass introduced their bills days apart. I’m happy that Jawando took a few more days to make sure that his bill would impact Dickerson.

What was flawed about the Glass bill and why do you assert it wouldn't cover Dickerson?

https://wtop.com/montgomery-county/2026/05/the-urgency-is-real-glass-introduces-bill-to-halt-data-center-permits-in-montgomery-county/

Not sure why a longer moratorium is better? Six months seems appropriate enough time to inform decision-making. Glass bill is stronger in that it limits any action on data centers, not just permitting as Jawando's does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the deal with data centers? Is anyone actually planning to allow them and not block them? And where would they even go? Any insights?

Glass was the first person to support a moratorium. It was narrowly defeated by a 3-2 committee vote. Jawando conveniently recently proposed a more aggressive moratorium (which Mink has been all over).

Jawando announced he was doing a bill in February. Glass introduced a bill in May. The bill that Glass introduced wouldn’t have affected Dickerson, while Jawando’s bill would.

The more important thing is that Friedson has opposed both bills during candidate forums. Friedson has received a lot of help from a super PAC funded by big tech and developers, so it’s not politically possible for him to be strong on data centers. We can’t have Friedson. It has to be Glass or Jawando.

And that right there is why I am choosing Glass. I want a county executive who actually does things, as opposed to saying he will do things. Glass has a record of actually doing the work and getting bills through. Not posturing.

So you preferred a flawed bill that would allow the data center at Dickerson to proceed over a bill that would stop the data center at Dickerson and have a longer moratorium? Interesting perspective. Jawando and Glass introduced their bills days apart. I’m happy that Jawando took a few more days to make sure that his bill would impact Dickerson.

What was flawed about the Glass bill and why do you assert it wouldn't cover Dickerson?

https://wtop.com/montgomery-county/2026/05/the-urgency-is-real-glass-introduces-bill-to-halt-data-center-permits-in-montgomery-county/

Not sure why a longer moratorium is better? Six months seems appropriate enough time to inform decision-making. Glass bill is stronger in that it limits any action on data centers, not just permitting as Jawando's does.

It's not flawed. Jawando wants people to think it is. Glass didn't want to pause valid cable communications systems, and expected the zta to pass. So his data center moratorium makes sense in relation to the zta change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the deal with data centers? Is anyone actually planning to allow them and not block them? And where would they even go? Any insights?

Glass was the first person to support a moratorium. It was narrowly defeated by a 3-2 committee vote. Jawando conveniently recently proposed a more aggressive moratorium (which Mink has been all over).

Jawando announced he was doing a bill in February. Glass introduced a bill in May. The bill that Glass introduced wouldn’t have affected Dickerson, while Jawando’s bill would.

The more important thing is that Friedson has opposed both bills during candidate forums. Friedson has received a lot of help from a super PAC funded by big tech and developers, so it’s not politically possible for him to be strong on data centers. We can’t have Friedson. It has to be Glass or Jawando.

And that right there is why I am choosing Glass. I want a county executive who actually does things, as opposed to saying he will do things. Glass has a record of actually doing the work and getting bills through. Not posturing.

So you preferred a flawed bill that would allow the data center at Dickerson to proceed over a bill that would stop the data center at Dickerson and have a longer moratorium? Interesting perspective. Jawando and Glass introduced their bills days apart. I’m happy that Jawando took a few more days to make sure that his bill would impact Dickerson.

Lack of follow-through is a key flaw of Jawando. I'll bet that bill of his never makes it to law. He changes his tune depending on which way the political winds are blowing, usually choosing in ways that personally benefit himself. If Jawando wins, he will be a disaster for the county. Voted already for Glass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the deal with data centers? Is anyone actually planning to allow them and not block them? And where would they even go? Any insights?

Glass was the first person to support a moratorium. It was narrowly defeated by a 3-2 committee vote. Jawando conveniently recently proposed a more aggressive moratorium (which Mink has been all over).

Jawando announced he was doing a bill in February. Glass introduced a bill in May. The bill that Glass introduced wouldn’t have affected Dickerson, while Jawando’s bill would.

The more important thing is that Friedson has opposed both bills during candidate forums. Friedson has received a lot of help from a super PAC funded by big tech and developers, so it’s not politically possible for him to be strong on data centers. We can’t have Friedson. It has to be Glass or Jawando.

And that right there is why I am choosing Glass. I want a county executive who actually does things, as opposed to saying he will do things. Glass has a record of actually doing the work and getting bills through. Not posturing.

So you preferred a flawed bill that would allow the data center at Dickerson to proceed over a bill that would stop the data center at Dickerson and have a longer moratorium? Interesting perspective. Jawando and Glass introduced their bills days apart. I’m happy that Jawando took a few more days to make sure that his bill would impact Dickerson.

Lack of follow-through is a key flaw of Jawando. I'll bet that bill of his never makes it to law. He changes his tune depending on which way the political winds are blowing, usually choosing in ways that personally benefit himself. If Jawando wins, he will be a disaster for the county. Voted already for Glass.

They had a hearing yesterday on both bills. How is Glass following through more than Jawando?

It is also a fact that Glass’s bill as drafted did not cover Dickerson. Jawando’s bill was stronger.

Also you seem to be criticizing Jawando for listening to people and taking positions based on public input. You’d rather politicians just ram things through over the objections of the people? A lot of residents are smarter than the elected officials and that’s especially true when you get into areas that require specialized knowledge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the deal with data centers? Is anyone actually planning to allow them and not block them? And where would they even go? Any insights?

Glass was the first person to support a moratorium. It was narrowly defeated by a 3-2 committee vote. Jawando conveniently recently proposed a more aggressive moratorium (which Mink has been all over).

Jawando announced he was doing a bill in February. Glass introduced a bill in May. The bill that Glass introduced wouldn’t have affected Dickerson, while Jawando’s bill would.

The more important thing is that Friedson has opposed both bills during candidate forums. Friedson has received a lot of help from a super PAC funded by big tech and developers, so it’s not politically possible for him to be strong on data centers. We can’t have Friedson. It has to be Glass or Jawando.

And that right there is why I am choosing Glass. I want a county executive who actually does things, as opposed to saying he will do things. Glass has a record of actually doing the work and getting bills through. Not posturing.

So you preferred a flawed bill that would allow the data center at Dickerson to proceed over a bill that would stop the data center at Dickerson and have a longer moratorium? Interesting perspective. Jawando and Glass introduced their bills days apart. I’m happy that Jawando took a few more days to make sure that his bill would impact Dickerson.

Lack of follow-through is a key flaw of Jawando. I'll bet that bill of his never makes it to law. He changes his tune depending on which way the political winds are blowing, usually choosing in ways that personally benefit himself. If Jawando wins, he will be a disaster for the county. Voted already for Glass.

They had a hearing yesterday on both bills. How is Glass following through more than Jawando?

It is also a fact that Glass’s bill as drafted did not cover Dickerson. Jawando’s bill was stronger.

Also you seem to be criticizing Jawando for listening to people and taking positions based on public input. You’d rather politicians just ram things through over the objections of the people? A lot of residents are smarter than the elected officials and that’s especially true when you get into areas that require specialized knowledge.

Neither of these is fact.

Can you back it up at all?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the deal with data centers? Is anyone actually planning to allow them and not block them? And where would they even go? Any insights?

Glass was the first person to support a moratorium. It was narrowly defeated by a 3-2 committee vote. Jawando conveniently recently proposed a more aggressive moratorium (which Mink has been all over).

Jawando announced he was doing a bill in February. Glass introduced a bill in May. The bill that Glass introduced wouldn’t have affected Dickerson, while Jawando’s bill would.

The more important thing is that Friedson has opposed both bills during candidate forums. Friedson has received a lot of help from a super PAC funded by big tech and developers, so it’s not politically possible for him to be strong on data centers. We can’t have Friedson. It has to be Glass or Jawando.

And that right there is why I am choosing Glass. I want a county executive who actually does things, as opposed to saying he will do things. Glass has a record of actually doing the work and getting bills through. Not posturing.

So you preferred a flawed bill that would allow the data center at Dickerson to proceed over a bill that would stop the data center at Dickerson and have a longer moratorium? Interesting perspective. Jawando and Glass introduced their bills days apart. I’m happy that Jawando took a few more days to make sure that his bill would impact Dickerson.

Lack of follow-through is a key flaw of Jawando. I'll bet that bill of his never makes it to law. He changes his tune depending on which way the political winds are blowing, usually choosing in ways that personally benefit himself. If Jawando wins, he will be a disaster for the county. Voted already for Glass.

They had a hearing yesterday on both bills. How is Glass following through more than Jawando?

It is also a fact that Glass’s bill as drafted did not cover Dickerson. Jawando’s bill was stronger.

Also you seem to be criticizing Jawando for listening to people and taking positions based on public input. You’d rather politicians just ram things through over the objections of the people? A lot of residents are smarter than the elected officials and that’s especially true when you get into areas that require specialized knowledge.

Neither of these is fact.

Can you back it up at all?

Glass’s bill literally excluded the zone that includes the Dickerson project. I take your point that he expected the ZTA to pass. That being the case, a more effective proposal would have been amending the ZTA. Jawando’s bill provides for a more comprehensive and longer moratorium than Glass’s bill did as originally drafted. Jawando’s bill is a more effective bill. Glass’s was performative. Friedson will oppose both. Vote Glass or Jawando if you care about sensible data center regulation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the deal with data centers? Is anyone actually planning to allow them and not block them? And where would they even go? Any insights?

Glass was the first person to support a moratorium. It was narrowly defeated by a 3-2 committee vote. Jawando conveniently recently proposed a more aggressive moratorium (which Mink has been all over).

Jawando announced he was doing a bill in February. Glass introduced a bill in May. The bill that Glass introduced wouldn’t have affected Dickerson, while Jawando’s bill would.

The more important thing is that Friedson has opposed both bills during candidate forums. Friedson has received a lot of help from a super PAC funded by big tech and developers, so it’s not politically possible for him to be strong on data centers. We can’t have Friedson. It has to be Glass or Jawando.

And that right there is why I am choosing Glass. I want a county executive who actually does things, as opposed to saying he will do things. Glass has a record of actually doing the work and getting bills through. Not posturing.

So you preferred a flawed bill that would allow the data center at Dickerson to proceed over a bill that would stop the data center at Dickerson and have a longer moratorium? Interesting perspective. Jawando and Glass introduced their bills days apart. I’m happy that Jawando took a few more days to make sure that his bill would impact Dickerson.

Lack of follow-through is a key flaw of Jawando. I'll bet that bill of his never makes it to law. He changes his tune depending on which way the political winds are blowing, usually choosing in ways that personally benefit himself. If Jawando wins, he will be a disaster for the county. Voted already for Glass.

They had a hearing yesterday on both bills. How is Glass following through more than Jawando?

It is also a fact that Glass’s bill as drafted did not cover Dickerson. Jawando’s bill was stronger.

Also you seem to be criticizing Jawando for listening to people and taking positions based on public input. You’d rather politicians just ram things through over the objections of the people? A lot of residents are smarter than the elected officials and that’s especially true when you get into areas that require specialized knowledge.

Neither of these is fact.

Can you back it up at all?

Glass’s bill literally excluded the zone that includes the Dickerson project. I take your point that he expected the ZTA to pass. That being the case, a more effective proposal would have been amending the ZTA. Jawando’s bill provides for a more comprehensive and longer moratorium than Glass’s bill did as originally drafted. Jawando’s bill is a more effective bill. Glass’s was performative. Friedson will oppose both. Vote Glass or Jawando if you care about sensible data center regulation.

I agree a zta amendment would be better. For both Jawando and Glass. They did separate legislation so that they could say they were acting. They don't care about actual policy. Just publicity.

[Anonymous]

Just voted for Glass!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the deal with data centers? Is anyone actually planning to allow them and not block them? And where would they even go? Any insights?

Glass was the first person to support a moratorium. It was narrowly defeated by a 3-2 committee vote. Jawando conveniently recently proposed a more aggressive moratorium (which Mink has been all over).

Jawando announced he was doing a bill in February. Glass introduced a bill in May. The bill that Glass introduced wouldn’t have affected Dickerson, while Jawando’s bill would.

The more important thing is that Friedson has opposed both bills during candidate forums. Friedson has received a lot of help from a super PAC funded by big tech and developers, so it’s not politically possible for him to be strong on data centers. We can’t have Friedson. It has to be Glass or Jawando.

And that right there is why I am choosing Glass. I want a county executive who actually does things, as opposed to saying he will do things. Glass has a record of actually doing the work and getting bills through. Not posturing.

So you preferred a flawed bill that would allow the data center at Dickerson to proceed over a bill that would stop the data center at Dickerson and have a longer moratorium? Interesting perspective. Jawando and Glass introduced their bills days apart. I’m happy that Jawando took a few more days to make sure that his bill would impact Dickerson.

Lack of follow-through is a key flaw of Jawando. I'll bet that bill of his never makes it to law. He changes his tune depending on which way the political winds are blowing, usually choosing in ways that personally benefit himself. If Jawando wins, he will be a disaster for the county. Voted already for Glass.

They had a hearing yesterday on both bills. How is Glass following through more than Jawando?

It is also a fact that Glass’s bill as drafted did not cover Dickerson. Jawando’s bill was stronger.

Also you seem to be criticizing Jawando for listening to people and taking positions based on public input. You’d rather politicians just ram things through over the objections of the people? A lot of residents are smarter than the elected officials and that’s especially true when you get into areas that require specialized knowledge.

Neither of these is fact.

Can you back it up at all?

Glass’s bill literally excluded the zone that includes the Dickerson project. I take your point that he expected the ZTA to pass. That being the case, a more effective proposal would have been amending the ZTA. Jawando’s bill provides for a more comprehensive and longer moratorium than Glass’s bill did as originally drafted. Jawando’s bill is a more effective bill. Glass’s was performative. Friedson will oppose both. Vote Glass or Jawando if you care about sensible data center regulation.

I agree a zta amendment would be better. For both Jawando and Glass. They did separate legislation so that they could say they were acting. They don't care about actual policy. Just publicity.

The problem for both bills as amendments is that Friedson would have held the ZTA up in PHP until Dickerson got permitted. Elrich took away that problem with the permitting pause.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the deal with data centers? Is anyone actually planning to allow them and not block them? And where would they even go? Any insights?

Glass was the first person to support a moratorium. It was narrowly defeated by a 3-2 committee vote. Jawando conveniently recently proposed a more aggressive moratorium (which Mink has been all over).

Jawando announced he was doing a bill in February. Glass introduced a bill in May. The bill that Glass introduced wouldn’t have affected Dickerson, while Jawando’s bill would.

The more important thing is that Friedson has opposed both bills during candidate forums. Friedson has received a lot of help from a super PAC funded by big tech and developers, so it’s not politically possible for him to be strong on data centers. We can’t have Friedson. It has to be Glass or Jawando.

And that right there is why I am choosing Glass. I want a county executive who actually does things, as opposed to saying he will do things. Glass has a record of actually doing the work and getting bills through. Not posturing.

So you preferred a flawed bill that would allow the data center at Dickerson to proceed over a bill that would stop the data center at Dickerson and have a longer moratorium? Interesting perspective. Jawando and Glass introduced their bills days apart. I’m happy that Jawando took a few more days to make sure that his bill would impact Dickerson.

Lack of follow-through is a key flaw of Jawando. I'll bet that bill of his never makes it to law. He changes his tune depending on which way the political winds are blowing, usually choosing in ways that personally benefit himself. If Jawando wins, he will be a disaster for the county. Voted already for Glass.

They had a hearing yesterday on both bills. How is Glass following through more than Jawando?

It is also a fact that Glass’s bill as drafted did not cover Dickerson. Jawando’s bill was stronger.

Also you seem to be criticizing Jawando for listening to people and taking positions based on public input. You’d rather politicians just ram things through over the objections of the people? A lot of residents are smarter than the elected officials and that’s especially true when you get into areas that require specialized knowledge.

Neither of these is fact.

Can you back it up at all?

Glass’s bill literally excluded the zone that includes the Dickerson project. I take your point that he expected the ZTA to pass. That being the case, a more effective proposal would have been amending the ZTA. Jawando’s bill provides for a more comprehensive and longer moratorium than Glass’s bill did as originally drafted. Jawando’s bill is a more effective bill. Glass’s was performative. Friedson will oppose both. Vote Glass or Jawando if you care about sensible data center regulation.

I agree a zta amendment would be better. For both Jawando and Glass. They did separate legislation so that they could say they were acting. They don't care about actual policy. Just publicity.

The problem for both bills as amendments is that Friedson would have held the ZTA up in PHP until Dickerson got permitted. Elrich took away that problem with the permitting pause.

acronyms?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the deal with data centers? Is anyone actually planning to allow them and not block them? And where would they even go? Any insights?

Glass was the first person to support a moratorium. It was narrowly defeated by a 3-2 committee vote. Jawando conveniently recently proposed a more aggressive moratorium (which Mink has been all over).

Jawando announced he was doing a bill in February. Glass introduced a bill in May. The bill that Glass introduced wouldn’t have affected Dickerson, while Jawando’s bill would.

The more important thing is that Friedson has opposed both bills during candidate forums. Friedson has received a lot of help from a super PAC funded by big tech and developers, so it’s not politically possible for him to be strong on data centers. We can’t have Friedson. It has to be Glass or Jawando.

And that right there is why I am choosing Glass. I want a county executive who actually does things, as opposed to saying he will do things. Glass has a record of actually doing the work and getting bills through. Not posturing.

So you preferred a flawed bill that would allow the data center at Dickerson to proceed over a bill that would stop the data center at Dickerson and have a longer moratorium? Interesting perspective. Jawando and Glass introduced their bills days apart. I’m happy that Jawando took a few more days to make sure that his bill would impact Dickerson.

Lack of follow-through is a key flaw of Jawando. I'll bet that bill of his never makes it to law. He changes his tune depending on which way the political winds are blowing, usually choosing in ways that personally benefit himself. If Jawando wins, he will be a disaster for the county. Voted already for Glass.

They had a hearing yesterday on both bills. How is Glass following through more than Jawando?

It is also a fact that Glass’s bill as drafted did not cover Dickerson. Jawando’s bill was stronger.

Also you seem to be criticizing Jawando for listening to people and taking positions based on public input. You’d rather politicians just ram things through over the objections of the people? A lot of residents are smarter than the elected officials and that’s especially true when you get into areas that require specialized knowledge.

Neither of these is fact.

Can you back it up at all?

Glass’s bill literally excluded the zone that includes the Dickerson project. I take your point that he expected the ZTA to pass. That being the case, a more effective proposal would have been amending the ZTA. Jawando’s bill provides for a more comprehensive and longer moratorium than Glass’s bill did as originally drafted. Jawando’s bill is a more effective bill. Glass’s was performative. Friedson will oppose both. Vote Glass or Jawando if you care about sensible data center regulation.

I agree a zta amendment would be better. For both Jawando and Glass. They did separate legislation so that they could say they were acting. They don't care about actual policy. Just publicity.

The problem for both bills as amendments is that Friedson would have held the ZTA up in PHP until Dickerson got permitted. Elrich took away that problem with the permitting pause.

acronyms?

DP.

ZTA -- Zoning Text Amendment, a way to say, "Remember when we zoned this area for single family deta hed dwellings with certain setbacks, etc.? Well, we know that re-zoning that to get the density we want in that area now would be hard, so we'll just change the definition of the zoning type, itself!"

PHP -- Planning, Housing & Parks Committee, where all such things originate or are referred. Friedson took the chair, there, with his mastermind/partner in crime until recently, NFG (Natalie Fani-González), as the second vote that could always freeze out Jawando, the third committee member, in case anything contested Friedson's actions, whether via his committee scheduling authority or otherwise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the deal with data centers? Is anyone actually planning to allow them and not block them? And where would they even go? Any insights?

They are already allowed by zoning, in industrial areas. Not perfectly, which is why the ZTA change was introduced in January - to create a specific definition of "data center" rather than rely on "cable communications system."

There isn't much industrial zoning in the county.

The Dickerson site is perfect for a data center. On already industrial disturbed land that can't be farmed or used for housing. It would make the PFAS disaster at the old public safety training academy site look like child's play. It's an industry that doesn't create a lot of jobs, which is unfortunate, but you don't want to put tons of jobs up in Dickerson where the roads can't support more commuting. The data center should be crafted in the most environmentally-responsible way possible, but it's a good use of that land.

Here's the main thing. We keep shutting down business development here. There are legal pathways to create business, but when some people get mad, we pull the rug out from under the businesses, who have in many cases, already invested significant amounts of money. Nobody trusts us to be predictable. Businesses can handle more regulation. But they NEED predictability. And that is where County leadership FAILS miserably, time and time again. Today it's picking on a data center. Tomorrow it will be something else. And there will be no new businesses to help increase our tax base. It will just get piled on property owners in the county. Every three or four years or so. Hope you are all happy paying those increases.

Completely agree with this. The mess that is DPS does not help either - businesses wanting to locate in MoCo have no reliable timeline for when they will be permitted and open for business. Our property taxes are going to be as high as NJ/NY if we can’t attract more businesses here.