Data center zoning forum in Lowell draws capacity crowd
A public forum on data center development in Lowell, Massachusetts, drew a large crowd, highlighting significant community concerns about the Markley Group's existing facility and potential expansions. The city is updating its zoning code, which currently lacks specific regulations for data centers, and recently enacted a 360-day moratorium on new data center construction and expansion.
The city of Lowell, Massachusetts, hosted a public forum to discuss data center development and its impact on the community, drawing over 200 residents, advocates, and city leaders. The forum, organized by the Department of Planning and Development (DPD), highlighted widespread concerns about the only data center operator in the city, the Markley Group.
Residents voiced complaints regarding noise, air and light pollution, traffic, utility cost increases, and the visual appearance of the Markley Group's 350,000-square-foot facility, which borders a low-income residential neighborhood. Despite a 2015 site plan approval for Markley Group, conflicts have persisted, with neighbors regularly testifying about issues including backup diesel generators and cooling towers. An employee of Markley Group spoke in favor of the company's investment in the city, but her remarks were met with jeers and boos, leading to police intervention.
The city is currently updating its 20-year-old zoning code, which lacks specific definitions and standards for data centers. The forum was prompted by a 10-0 City Council vote in March to impose a 360-day moratorium on the expansion of existing data centers and the construction of new ones. This moratorium specifically addresses concerns about the Markley Group's potential expansion plans, which include recent property purchases and an updated website promoting "generative AI workloads" that require significant power.
DPD Deputy Director Camilo Espitia stated that the forum was the first of many community discussions aimed at gathering feedback to inform recommendations for the City Council's vote on zoning changes. An organizing meeting for "Say No To AI Data Center Expansion" is also planned by the Party for Socialism & Liberation.