Planning Board proposes measures to rein in data centers in Northborough

The Northborough Planning Board plans to present an article at the upcoming Town Meeting in April that proposes new regulations for data centers. The proposed bylaw would mandate a special permit for any new data center construction in the Industrial District and impose a maximum electrical demand of 5 megawatts per facility. This measure is considered a "stopgap" by board members, designed to provide the town with additional time to research data centers, develop specific bylaws, and better understand their impacts on the community. The board has been actively working to define data centers and establish criteria for their approval, considering factors such as traffic, air quality, and noise. While existing data centers, like Iron Mountain's 3.6-megawatt facility, are not directly impacted, the new regulations aim to vet future projects more effectively. There has been criticism regarding data centers' high consumption of power and water, noise levels, and potential for disruption, including the presence of armed guards. The Planning Board had initially favored a temporary ban on data centers to allow for the creation of more detailed regulations. Board member Bill Pierce noted the rapid evolution of technology, emphasizing the need for careful planning, as facilities could significantly increase in power demand while shrinking in physical size.