Proposed ban on data centers
At a glance
Based on human-uploaded captions; names may still contain errors.
- What: Docket No. 1718, an order on a Boston Zoning Code text amendment prohibiting data centers in all zoning districts. Sponsors are Councilors Culpepper and Worrell; referred to the committee May 11, 2026.
- Where it stands: First hearing held October 19, 2026, chaired by Councilor Durkan. No vote; on October 21 the full Council confirmed the docket remains in committee, and sponsor Culpepper said he favors updating the definition of data centers with the Planning Department before deciding on prohibitions.
- Administration position: does not support the amendment at this time and does not see a citywide prohibition as necessary, but will work with the sponsors on new definitions, thresholds and mapping.
- What's next: the Planning Department is codifying requirements from the C40 data centers pact into the zoning code; sponsors asked for the pact text, member list and the current zoning definition.
- Related topics: Data center ban exemption for institutional computing, Data center electricity costs for ratepayers, Data center economic impact.
The proposal and current zoning
- The amendment defines data centers, makes them a forbidden use citywide, and keeps ordinary server rooms that support businesses, schools and other lawful uses.
- Current code has a "telecommunications and data distribution centers" use, allowed in only three areas (the Newmarket industrial area excluding some subdistricts, the Roxbury Community College subdistrict and the E Street light industrial area in South Boston) and generally conditional elsewhere. Jeff Thomas said the definition was written for utility-type facilities, not AI computing, and needs updating.
- The city knows of about four conventional data centers; 2026 emissions reporting lists eight buildings with the data center designation, an undercount because the largest one has not reported energy or water use and backup generators are not counted.
- Planning said an outright prohibition is legally dubious because zoning must leave a path to the Board of Appeal; large projects would face Article 80 review and approvals from the BPDA board and the Zoning Board of Appeal.
- Mayor Wu signed Boston onto the C40 global urban data centers pact in June 2026. The administration said it has not yet begun community discussions on community benefits.
Main concerns and positions
- Sponsors: Culpepper cited electricity, water, sewer, noise, backup diesel generators, scarce land and environmental justice; Worrell sought a baseline of impacts and revenue.
- Cautious about a ban: Councilor Flynn (institutions and Governor's executive order), Councilor Louijeune (move with caution), Chair Durkan (nuance, threshold-based permitting, Article 80), Sierra Club (Michelle Brooks: a ban could shift development to places with less capacity).
- Support a prohibition or a pause: Cyril Clement (Massachusetts Public Health Alliance), Mary Boyd (Lowell resident), Tristan Thomas (no new or expanded data centers until protections exist; a threshold nearer 10 MW; cumulative impact analysis).
- Oppose a ban: health care, research and labor voices (see Data center ban exemption for institutional computing and Data center economic impact).
- Cities and states cited as models: Phoenix (special use permit outside industrial areas), Everett (new thresholds), New York State, Seattle, London and Dublin.
Open questions and follow-ups
- Administration to provide the C40 pact, its member list, the existing zoning definition, counts of data centers reporting under the emissions ordinance, and any other franchise-style licenses.
- How to define thresholds (power, water, noise) and whether regulation belongs in zoning, Article 80 or a separate permit.
- Whether the Governor's executive order and forthcoming state guidance for municipalities will shape local rules.
Official minutes record
From the official minutes of the October 21, 2026 City Council meeting, which are the authority on motions and votes; the captions are less exact on tallies.
- Docket No. 1718, the order for a Zoning Code text amendment prohibiting data centers in all zoning districts, remains in the Committee on Planning, Development and Transportation. No vote.
Sources
- 2026-10-21 - City Council (captioned recording)
- Minutes, October 21, 2026: https://boston.legistar1.com/boston/meetings/2026/10/14268_M_City_Council_26-10-21_Meeting_Minutes.pdf
- 2026-10-19 - Planning, Development and Transportation Committee
- https://boston.legistar1.com/boston/meetings/2026/10/14278_A_City_Council_26-10-19_Meeting_Agenda.pdf
State context
State-level rules, including Executive Order 658 and a statewide list of local moratoriums and bylaws, are on Massachusetts Data Center Policy.
Discussion time
About 91 minutes across 2 meetings (from transcript timestamps; approximate).
| Meeting | Minutes |
|---|---|
| 2026-10-21 - City Council | 5 |
| 2026-10-19 - Planning, Development and Transportation Committee | 86 |
Log
- 2026-10-21 - City Council - Chair Durkan reported on the October 19 hearing (administration not supporting the text as written, willing to define data centers, union job concerns) and recommended the docket stay in committee; sponsor Culpepper said the best path is working with Planning on an updated definition and assessing what prohibitions, if any, are needed. Official minutes: No. 1718 remains in the Planning, Development and Transportation Committee.
- 2026-10-19 - 2026-10-19 - Planning, Development and Transportation Committee - First hearing on Docket No. 1718: sponsor and councilor statements, administration panel (not supporting the text as written, willing to amend), second panel of advocates and experts, and public testimony; no vote.
- 2026-10-22 - Page created from a posted agenda.