Amazon Web Services Pursues Concept Site Plan for Calvert Technology Center Data Center Development
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has officially submitted a concept site plan application for the Calvert Technology Center, an ambitious large-scale data center initiative located on two parcels belonging to Constellation Energy Group adjacent to the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant.
The initial application was lodged on May 4, with associated fees paid on May 18, followed by Environmental Health fees settled on May 26.
Notably, construction permits have not yet been issued, and the concept review does not imply formal project approval.
The proposed site, situated at 1650 Calvert Cliffs Parkway in Lusby, outlines plans for eight data center facilities, each varying between 266,000 and 332,000 gross square feet.
Additional structures will encompass office, auxiliary utility, and security buildings, collectively amounting to approximately 2.464 million square feet of data center space across three independently operated campuses.
Campus 1, positioned to the south of Calvert Cliffs Parkway, intends to feature two data centers, an office building, a utility building, and security facilities.
Campus 2, located roughly half a mile to the south, will accommodate another two data centers. Campus 3, situated near the southern property margin south of Johns Creek, plans to house four data centers.
A 30-foot-wide private access avenue, complemented by an 8-foot shared-use path, is proposed to link the various campuses.
Additionally, three buried structural steel plate bridge arches and another bridge are slated to traverse wetland and stream valleys.
The northern parcel spans approximately 965 acres, while the southern parcel encompasses around 1,085 acres.
Both holdings are classified as I-2 Heavy Industrial under the Calvert County Zoning Ordinance. Each campus will occupy designated lease areas within the broader site.
A concept stormwater management report, compiled by Langan Engineering on April 29, characterizes the existing site as predominantly wooded, featuring undulating terrain, with Johns Creek flowing east to west alongside notable non-tidal wetlands and smaller streams.
The property is located within the St. Leonard Creek watershed, partly residing in a FEMA Zone A floodplain. The soil types are primarily classified as Hydrologic Soil Group A.
The stormwater design envisions the implementation of six wet extended detention ponds and five bioretention facilities to adhere to water quality, channel protection, and 2-year and 10-year peak flow assessments, complying with Calvert County and Maryland Department of the Environment standards.
The report indicates that micro-scale Environmental Site Design practices were considered but ultimately deemed unviable due to steep slopes, wetland areas, forest limitations, and suboptimal soil conditions.
The subsequent phase involves a review of the Concept Site Plan by various Calvert County government departments and additional reviewing bodies.
The Calvert County Department of Planning and Zoning has informed the public about the submission as part of a transparency initiative.
According to an email from the department, “This notification is being provided for transparency purposes only and is not part of the formal development review process. The intent is to keep the public informed as information becomes available.”
The AWS application has been a topic of discussion in previous Board of County Commissioners and Planning Commission meetings.
Planning and Zoning Director Jason Brinkley remarked during an April 15 gathering that AWS submitted documents to the Maryland Department of the Environment but lamented his lack of access to those documents or clarity regarding the environmental review triggered.
This filing surfaces amidst ongoing deliberations concerning data centers in Calvert County. Residents have expressed apprehension regarding potential environmental and infrastructural repercussions, as well as agreements associated with data center corporations.
Commissioners Mike Hart and Catherine Grasso have previously made two unsuccessful attempts to institute a temporary moratorium on data center developments.
On May 5, the Board of County Commissioners approved a measure mandating data centers to align with updated text amendments until construction commences, thereby preventing projects from being exempted under preceding regulations.
Calvert County maintains a dedicated webpage for data center projects that includes updates and pertinent documents.
Residents can also acquire information regarding commercial zoning and the site plan review process via the county’s website.
Source link: Smnewsnet.com.
