METHUEN, Mass.- Data center development in Methuen could face a temporary one-year moratorium under a proposal from Mayor D.J. Beauregard.
The proposal will go before the Methuen City Council on Tuesday, September 8, beginning the process of changing the city’s zoning rules.
If approved, the moratorium would temporarily prevent new data centers from being built, established, or converted from other uses while the city studies how they should be regulated.
“Data centers are expanding rapidly across the country, and communities are increasingly being asked to confront the significant demands these facilities can place on electricity, water, and other public infrastructure,” Beauregard said. “Methuen should not wait until a proposal is sitting in front of us to decide what our standards should be.”
The city plans to study how data centers could affect electricity use and infrastructure, water supplies, noise, air quality and land use. Officials would also consider where data centers should be allowed, how large they should be and what permits they should need.
The review would also look at the potential benefits of data centers, including new jobs, investment and tax revenue.
“The goal of this ordinance isn’t to say ‘no’ to economic development,” Beauregard said. “We should welcome investment that creates jobs, strengthens our tax base, and benefits our community, but we also have a responsibility to protect our residents and ratepayers from developments that could drive up costs or place unreasonable demands on our infrastructure and natural resources.”
During the moratorium, the Department of Economic and Community Development would work with the City’s Legal Department and other city departments to develop possible permanent zoning rules for data centers.
The proposed moratorium would last for one year after taking effect, or until permanent zoning rules are adopted, whichever comes first. The City Council could extend it once for up to 180 additional days if more time is needed.
The proposal would apply specifically to large-scale data centers. It would not include ordinary computer servers, networking equipment, computer rooms or similar technology used as part of another lawful business or property use.
State Senator Pavel Payano said the temporary moratorium would give the city time to establish rules before data center projects are considered.
“A temporary moratorium gives Methuen the time to establish clear safeguards before decisions are made that could permanently affect residents, small businesses, and the city’s resources,” Payano said.
Payano said data centers can place significant demands on electricity, water, infrastructure and land, and urged the City Council to support the proposal.
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