Hopkinton council unanimously approves data center ban
The Hopkinton Town Council unanimously approved an amendment prohibiting data centers in every zoning district. The 5-0 vote followed a public hearing where residents raised concerns about energy use, water consumption, noise, wildlife and environmental impacts, while one resident urged strict regulation instead of an outright ban.
The Hopkinton Town Council voted 5-0 to amend the town’s zoning ordinance and prohibit data centers in all zoning districts. Councilors Michael Geary and Bob Burns sponsored the measure after directing the Planning Board and planning department to study a potential ban in July.
Geary described the prohibition as a precautionary measure, saying data centers’ environmental demands were inconsistent with Hopkinton’s rural character and noting that no facility is currently planned in the town. Residents expressed concerns about energy consumption, water use, noise and impacts on wildlife, while another resident cited Groton, Connecticut, as an example of regulating data centers through strict zoning requirements rather than banning them. The council approved the amendment following the public hearing.