Taunton City Council Approves One-Year Moratorium on New Data Centers
The Taunton City Council approved a one-year moratorium on new data center development while the city evaluates zoning, infrastructure, electricity demand and environmental impacts. VMD Companies opposed the pause because it could jeopardize a potential technology tenant requiring 24 megawatts of power, but Mayor Shaunna O’Connell supported the moratorium.
The Taunton City Council approved a one-year moratorium on new data centers and voted to ban development while the city reviews its zoning rules, infrastructure needs, electrical demands and environmental impacts. Mayor Shaunna O’Connell said the pause would give officials time to determine what restrictions or special permits may be necessary.
VMD Companies, which owns property near John Hancock Road, said the moratorium could jeopardize a multimillion-dollar deal involving an unnamed technology tenant. The company requested an exemption for existing industrial buildings, while residents voiced concerns about power reliability and data center impacts. The potential tenant would require 24 megawatts at full buildout, with discussions reportedly underway regarding electrical upgrades, noise controls and limited water use.