Sugarloaf Alliance
Preservation * Smarter Growth * Transparency in Government
Development near Sugarloaf (west of I-270 and north to the Monocacy River) should remain protected and free from commercial and industrial development. Check one
Strongly agree
Sugarloaf Mountain and the surrounding rural landscape are among Frederick County's most important natural, agricultural, and scenic resources. Development west of I-270 and north to the Monocacy River should respect the area's rural character, protect farmland, safeguard water resources, and preserve the viewshed that makes this region unique. Growth should be directed to appropriate areas with existing infrastructure rather than expanding commercial and industrial development into protected rural landscapes.
A Green Infrastructure Plan should be completed and adopted before approving major new industrial rezonings. Check one.
Strongly Disagree
Frederick County should understand the full environmental, infrastructure, and fiscal impacts of major industrial rezonings before making long-term land-use decisions. A Green Infrastructure Plan helps identify critical natural resources, wildlife corridors, water resources, and climate resilience needs so growth can occur responsibly. Planning first and rezoning second is good governance that helps ensure we leave Frederick County better than we found it for future generations.
If elected, do you pledge to never sign an NDA with a data center developer or other developer, nor to be bound by an NDA signed by another county official with a data center developer or any other developer? Check one.
Yes
I support full transparency in land-use and development decisions and do not believe NDAs should be used to shield policy discussions or decisions from the public. Any confidentiality agreements should be narrowly limited, legally necessary, and never used to prevent public accountability in major land-use decisions such as data centers or large-scale development proposals.
County legislation should be developed to prohibit County Council members, the County Executive, and county staff from signing any NDA that restricts their ability to inform the public, deliberate openly, or carry out their public duties. Check one.
Strongly agree
Public trust depends on transparency and accountability in all major land-use and development decisions. County officials should not be bound by confidentiality agreements that limit their ability to deliberate openly, inform the public, or carry out their duties. Any necessary confidentiality in negotiations should be narrowly defined and never used to shield matters of significant public interest from democratic oversight and community engagement. That is people-centered progress in action.
Frederick County should fund a thorough, independent cost-benefit analysis of data center impacts, specifically on Frederick County, regardless of any analysis that may be conducted by the State of Maryland on State level impacts. Check one.
Strongly agree
Yes, Frederick County residents deserve an independent, clear, locally grounded understanding of the full costs and benefits of data center development, including impacts on infrastructure, water, energy demand, land use, public health, and long-term fiscal health. State-level analysis is not a substitute for county-specific data and community context. Independent, transparent analysis ensures informed decision-making and reflects people-centered progress that puts residents first in shaping our future.
How many data centers should be built in Frederick County? Check the answer closest to your position.
As many as allowed inside the original 1,586-acre Critical Digital Infrastructure Overlay Zone proposed by the Planning Commission.
The question is not how many, but under what conditions, with what impacts, and resulting benefits. Data center development should only proceed where it meets strict standards on infrastructure capacity, environmental protection, water and energy use, school and residential proximity, and community benefit. Decisions should be based on independent analysis, transparent review, and enforceable guardrails that protect residents and ensure people-centered progress guides all growth decisions.
What new county data center legislation would you endorse? Check all you support.
Increased distances to residences and public uses, Stricter noise limits, Stricter water use limits, Stricter design, height, and screening limits, Efficiency and power consumption limits, Full disclosure of electricity consumption, water consumption, height and footprint, backup generation capacity, noise and lighting impacts, and infrastructure needs and requirements of proposed data centers., An independent, third-party regularly monitoring data center operation (e.g. noise, water consumption) that reports its results publicly, including additional testing triggered by resident complaints or changes in operations., Mandatory corrective actions within a defined timeframe, with meaningful penalties or operational restrictions if compliance is not achieved (if post-construction monitoring shows a data center exceeds approved limits).
I support strong protections that put residents first. If a data center cannot meet strict standards for noise, water use, energy consumption, transparency, and compliance, it should not be approved. Communities deserve full disclosure of impacts and enforceable protections. Independent monitoring and public reporting are essential.
I support innovation and economic development with growth paying its own way, protecting neighborhoods and natural resources, and leaving Frederick County better than we found it.
What are your thoughts concerning environmental issues, preservation, development, transparency in government, and data centers in Frederick County? Describe any priorities, tradeoffs, or concerns that guide your thinking.
Frederick County’s future depends on building an economy that meets people’s needs while respecting the limits of our land, water, and infrastructure. I believe in growth while respecting our ecological ceiling, ensuring residents have housing, jobs, transportation, and opportunity without undermining the natural resources and agricultural heritage that define our community.
My priorities are grounded in integrity, transparency, and the principle growth must create lasting public value. That means protecting farmland, safeguarding watersheds, investing in infrastructure before development exceeds capacity, and ensuring decisions are made through open, data-driven public processes.
Projects like data centers should only move forward when they meet strict standards for noise, water use, energy efficiency, setbacks, screening, and enforceable long-term compliance. Residents deserve full disclosure of impacts and independent monitoring to verify commitments are kept.
With integrity at the center, we can leave Frederick County stronger, fairer, and more sustainable for generations.