Chelmsford Bans Medium, Large Data Centers in New Bylaw
Chelmsford Town Meeting approved a bylaw banning medium- and large-scale data centers while allowing smaller accessory facilities under specified power and size limits. The action comes amid concerns about electricity, water, noise and generator impacts, and follows opposition to Markley Group's data center expansion in neighboring Lowell, which has enacted a temporary moratorium on new facilities.
Chelmsford Town Meeting approved Article 23, bylaw 118-6, effectively prohibiting medium data centers using up to 3 megawatts and large facilities using more than 3 megawatts. Smaller accessory data centers serving existing businesses remain allowed, with additional restrictions on power draw, floor area, zoning and generator infrastructure. Planning Board Chair Chris Lavallee defended the exemption for smaller facilities, while Precinct 4 representative Sam Poulten argued that the bylaw does not impose enough limits on potential nuisance and safety impacts.
The Chelmsford vote was influenced by developments in neighboring Lowell, where Markley Group operates a 352,000-square-foot colocation facility and is pursuing an expansion amid resident pushback. Lowell has approved a 360-day moratorium on new data centers and is considering either a 15-megawatt cap with environmental requirements or a citywide prohibition. The debate reflects a broader wave of Massachusetts restrictions driven by concerns about data centers' electricity and water use, noise, vibration and backup-generator emissions.