Rochester residents voice opposition to data centers
Rochester, New Hampshire, is considering a proposed city ordinance that would limit data centers to a specific industrial zone, aiming to discourage their development within the city. Residents have actively voiced strong opposition to allowing data centers, urging the City Council to protect them. The City Council is scheduled to vote on the ordinance in September.
Residents of Rochester, New Hampshire, packed a City Council meeting on August 18, speaking for nearly two hours to express their opposition to data centers being built in the city. Their strong sentiments came just one day after the Rochester Planning Board reluctantly endorsed a proposed zoning ordinance aimed at regulating data center locations.
The proposed ordinance, set for a City Council vote on September 1, does not outright ban data centers but seeks to restrict them to Rochester's Recycling Industrial zone. City officials believe this limitation would effectively discourage development due to the nature of the area, much of which is owned by Waste Management.
Mayor Chuck Grassie acknowledged that the city cannot outright ban data centers but emphasized his commitment to doing everything possible to deter developers. Currently, no specific data center proposals are before the city, but the proactive measure reflects community concerns. Planning Board Chair Mark Collopy indicated a desire to further study data centers and the community's fears surrounding them.