Mohawk proposes data-center moratorium to update zoning laws
The Town of Mohawk, New York, is proposing a six-month moratorium on all data center development to allow officials to establish specific zoning regulations. Town Supervisor Janet DePalma stated that the state's existing moratorium on hyperscale data centers is insufficient for smaller facilities, citing concerns about environmental impact, electricity and water demand, and preserving the town's rural character. A public hearing on the proposed local law is scheduled for August 13.
The Town of Mohawk, New York, is considering enacting its own six-month moratorium on data center development, following concerns that a recently established statewide moratorium does not adequately address smaller-scale facilities. Town Supervisor Janet DePalma emphasized the need for local protection, explaining that the state's one-year pause, signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, only applies to hyperscale data centers consuming 50 megawatts or more. DePalma expressed disappointment that the state's measure did not cover all sizes, leaving municipalities without time to craft their own specific zoning regulations.
The Mohawk Town Board has scheduled a public hearing for August 13 at 7 p.m. to discuss the proposed local law. The moratorium's primary purpose is to provide officials with sufficient time to develop and adopt comprehensive zoning regulations for data centers, as the town currently lacks specific rules for such facilities. Concerns revolve around the potential negative impacts on the rural community's character, as well as significant demands on local resources like electricity and water. DePalma expects the town board to adopt the moratorium after the hearing, tasking the Mohawk Planning Board with studying these issues and recommending new zoning guidelines.
The town has previously implemented similar moratoriums for other developments, such as battery energy storage systems, to update regulations. While officials do not anticipate an outright ban on data centers, DePalma indicated that any future developments would face "very, very strict guidelines" to ensure they align with the town's character and resource capacity. The six-month data center pause, if adopted, would run until February 13, with a possibility of extension if more time is required for regulation development.