Data Center Ad Hoc Committee

At a glance

What: a temporary ad hoc committee to study the impacts of commercial data centers, and a possible ban.
Where it stands: The Council ordained the committee 11-2 on October 20. It sunsets June 30, 2027 and is to study electrical demand, water, environment, taxes, health and zoning. The Planning Board, not the Planning Director, designates its member.
Next: Seating the committee; Councilor Devine's request for a Law Department opinion on a ban (adopted September 15) is still to be answered.

The Conservation Commission discussed its representation on August 13 and noted that no staffing is provided.
On the question of the Planning Board member, the amendment passed 8-5; the ordinance then passed 11-2 (Devine and I. Rivera no).

The city's posted agendas and approved minutes on https://www.holyoke.org/departments/public-meetings/ and meeting video from the Holyoke Media YouTube channel.

Representation on the data center ad hoc committee was discussed. See Data Center Ad Hoc Committee.

Councilor Devine's order for a Law Department opinion on a ban on data centers was adopted. See Data Center Ad Hoc Committee.

Data center ad hoc committee ordinance: after long debate it was amended so that the Planning Board designates its member (8-5: Devine, Greaney, I. Rivera, Sullivan, Vacon no) and ordained 11-2 (Devine, I. Rivera no). The temporary committee sunsets June 30, 2027. See Data Center Ad Hoc Committee.