Lowell City Council imposes 360-day moratorium on new data center construction

The Lowell City Council unanimously voted to impose a 360-day moratorium on new data center construction and the expansion of existing data centers. The moratorium stems from concerns raised by residents, particularly those living near the Markley Group's data center, about issues such as lack of transparency, increased generators, and persistent noise. While some Markley employees spoke against the moratorium, citing the company's community involvement and the opportunities it has provided, the council acknowledged the need to address the concerns of neighboring residents. The moratorium will allow the city to evaluate the infrastructure impacts, land-use tradeoffs, and long-term economic value of data centers. The council also plans to develop zoning standards for data centers, as the city currently lacks such regulations.