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
Agree
Protecting the Sugarloaf corridor is consistent with my core commitment to preserving Frederick County's rural character, agricultural heritage, and natural resources. Development belongs in designated growth areas with existing infrastructure, not in our most treasured landscapes. Sugarloaf Mountain and the surrounding lands are irreplaceable assets for our community, our environment, and future generations. I will stand against development that threatens these protected areas.
A Green Infrastructure Plan should be completed and adopted before approving major new industrial rezonings. Check one.
Agree
Sound planning requires understanding the full environmental picture before approving major industrial rezonings. A completed Green Infrastructure Plan ensures that natural systems, wildlife corridors, waterways, and agricultural lands are identified and protected before development decisions are made. Approving major rezonings without this foundation risks irreversible harm to our environment and rural character. I support completing this plan as a prerequisite to major industrial rezoning decisions.
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.
No
I am committed to full transparency with Frederick County residents. However, a blanket pledge against any NDA is not something I can sign in good conscience. Early economic development conversations sometimes require confidentiality to protect a community's negotiating position. What I will pledge is this: any county decision to support a development through zoning approvals, infrastructure commitments, tax incentives, or other public resources will be made openly, with full public notice and opportunity for input before any vote is taken.
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.
Neutral
I believe strongly in transparent, accountable government and that public officials should never be restricted from informing residents or carrying out their duties. I am open to considering this legislation and believe it warrants serious discussion. However, I would want to fully understand the scope and implications before committing to a specific legislative approach. I welcome the opportunity to learn more.
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.
Agree
Frederick County residents deserve a clear, independent, and locally focused analysis of data center impacts on our infrastructure, environment, schools, roads, water, and tax base. A state-level analysis cannot fully capture the specific costs and benefits experienced by our community. Before approving additional data center development, county government has a responsibility to ensure residents have access to accurate, unbiased information to inform public decisions.
How many data centers should be built in Frederick County? Check the answer closest to your position.
As many as allowed inside the 2,615-acre expanded Critical Digital Infrastructure Overlay Zone passed by County Council on 23 Dec 2025.
I support the CDI overlay boundaries as adopted. However, the overlay does not authorize construction — each project must go through a rigorous public approval process. Beyond the currently approved campus, I will not support additional building approvals without a thorough, independent cost-benefit analysis specific to Frederick County. Residents deserve clear, unbiased information about infrastructure, environmental, and fiscal impacts before any further development is approved.
What new county data center legislation would you endorse? Check all you support.
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)., A moratorium on new data centers
I support a moratorium on new data center approvals until an independent, Frederick County-specific cost-benefit analysis is completed. Residents deserve accurate, unbiased information before further development proceeds. Strong disclosure requirements, independent monitoring, and meaningful enforcement with real penalties are essential to ensuring that approved data centers remain accountable to the community throughout their operation.
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 rural character, farmland, and natural resources are irreplaceable assets that must be protected for future generations. I believe smart growth means directing development to designated areas with existing infrastructure, never onto lands already adopted into Priority Preservation Area or Rural Legacy Area programs.
I will advocate for expanding RLA and PPA designations closer to the Sugarloaf protected landscape, creating a stronger buffer that protects this treasured corridor from encroaching development for generations to come.
On data centers, I support responsible development within the adopted CDI overlay boundaries, with each project subject to rigorous public approval. I will not support further approvals beyond the current campus without an independent cost-benefit analysis giving residents accurate, unbiased information about environmental, infrastructure, and fiscal impacts.
Transparency is non-negotiable. Residents must have a meaningful voice before major decisions are made, with full public disclosure and independent monitoring with real enforcement.