South Hadley holds off on data center moratorium as officials weigh effects on utilities, tax base
South Hadley officials removed a proposed data center moratorium from the Town Meeting warrant while they research potential effects on utilities, water, electricity, noise and the tax base. Planning Board members are considering special-permit requirements for large facilities, but no new regulations have been adopted.
South Hadley, Massachusetts, officials have paused consideration of a proposed data center moratorium or ban after the Select Board expressed concerns about acting without more research. The measure was removed from the warrant for the Nov. 9 special Town Meeting. Residents and board members cited possible impacts on electricity consumption, water use, fan noise, land and local economic development, while others said the town has sufficient utility capacity and vacant industrial space.
The Planning Board held a listening session and discussed replacing current by-right development with a special-permit process for large data centers. Members said utilities, including the South Hadley Electric Light Department and local water districts, should be consulted before approval, and some supported a one-year moratorium to study potential impacts. The issue was referred back to the Select Board, and no moratorium or new zoning restrictions have yet been enacted.