East Longmeadow Council Orders Data Center Zoning Rules After Split Debate
The East Longmeadow Town Council voted unanimously to direct its planning board to draft zoning rules for large data centers, though the vote did not impose a ban or moratorium. Councilors cited potential impacts on water, electricity, noise and quality of life, while disagreeing over whether facilities should be prohibited or regulated narrowly.
The East Longmeadow Town Council voted 6-0 to have the town planning board develop recommendations for regulating large data centers. Town Manager Thomas D. Christensen said existing zoning bylaws do not specifically address data centers, while councilors debated potential effects on water supplies, electrical infrastructure, noise and wildlife. Councilors Jonathan J. Torcia and Anna T. Jones favored stringent restrictions, while Connor J. O'Shea opposed an outright ban and James F. Leydon supported regulation without a moratorium.
The vote does not change current zoning and no pending data center proposal prompted the discussion. Any future bylaw would require a public hearing and council vote. The debate follows data center restrictions elsewhere in Western Massachusetts, including Holyoke's permanent ban, Westfield's moratorium and project setback, and Agawam's temporary construction moratorium. State officials have also adopted environmental, power and water standards for large facilities.