Data Centers Zoning Ordinance
At a glance
- What: A zoning ordinance defining and limiting data centers passed second reading as amended.
- Where it stands: Acted on October 8; see the log below.
Based on auto-generated captions of the video; names and numbers may be misheard.
Sources
State context
State-level rules, including Executive Order 658 and a statewide list of local moratoriums and bylaws, are on Massachusetts Data Center Policy.
Log
2026-10-08 - City Council
The council adopted the zoning amendment on second passage as amended: it removed the 2-megawatt aggregate power demand threshold from the definition and added language that data centers do not include servers and IT infrastructure that are accessory, incidental and subordinate to a lawful principal use, while excluding third-party data storage or hosting businesses. Discussion described the measure as effectively temporary while a broader data-center policy and working group are developed. The vote carried by voice vote.
2026-09-30 - Ordinances Licenses and Legal Affairs Committee
The committee struck the 2 megawatt aggregate power threshold proposed by the Planning Board, added accessory-use language excluding ordinary server rooms and IT infrastructure but covering third-party storage, hosting and distributed processing, and voted 5-0 to send the amended ordinance to the full council with a positive recommendation. A resident asked for a moratorium instead.
2026-09-24 - City Council
Planning Board report received and filed. An amendment limiting the definition to uses with an aggregate power demand of 2 megawatts or higher was adopted, with Holappa opposed and members raising noise, heat and greenhouse gas concerns. First passage as amended carried by roll call, 9-1, and the ordinance went to committee.