Scarborough Town Council approves data center moratorium
The Scarborough Town Council has enacted a 180-day moratorium on data center construction. This decision follows a proposal by developer Daniel Dickinson for a 140,000 sq ft data center, which town officials had previously rejected as incomplete. Concerns from residents and councilors regarding environmental impact and noise influenced the council's decision.
The Scarborough Town Council in Maine has approved a 180-day moratorium on data center construction, which took effect immediately and applies retroactively to proposals submitted on or after April 1. This action follows a plan submitted by developer Daniel Dickinson for a 140,000 square foot "Scarborough Technology Park" on a 52-acre lot, which town officials had previously rejected in April for being incomplete.
Town councilor Jon Anderson expressed environmental concerns, citing Scarborough's proximity to marshes and wetlands, deeming it an unsuitable location for a data center. Resident April Hill highlighted potential noise pollution, describing it as a vibration that could travel for miles and impact many residents. Developer Daniel Dickinson's lawyer, Greg Braun, argued that the proposed impacts are speculative as no data centers currently operate in Scarborough, and the property was purchased in 2022 with prior construction approval. However, town leaders clarified that the prior approval did not specifically account for data center development.