Rochester looks to block data centers with zoning law. Will it work?
Rochester city officials are proposing a new zoning ordinance to restrict data centers to a specific industrial zone. This proactive measure aims to prevent data center development in the city due to concerns about resource usage, noise, and environmental impact. A public hearing is scheduled for residents to provide input on the proposed change.
Mayor Chuck Grassie of Rochester, New Hampshire, and City Manager Katie Ambrose are leading efforts to prevent data centers from locating in the city. The Rochester City Council is considering a new zoning ordinance that would confine data center development to the city’s Recycling Industrial zone, a strategy designed to deter projects given that Waste Management owns most of the property in that area.
Mayor Grassie expressed significant apprehension about data centers, citing