Scarborough Town Council imposes data center moratorium - Portland Press Herald
The Scarborough Town Council unanimously enacted a 180-day moratorium on data center development, impacting a project proposed by developer Daniel Dickinson. The ban allows the town to revise its zoning ordinance and address community concerns about environmental impacts and water consumption. Residents and councilors expressed strong opposition to data centers in Scarborough, citing incompatibility with the town's values and resources.
The Scarborough Town Council unanimously approved a 180-day data center moratorium on Wednesday night, immediately affecting a plan for a data center on the west side of town submitted by developer Daniel Dickinson in April.
Scarborough joins other Maine communities like Sanford, Westbrook, Gorham, and Brunswick in implementing local data center pauses, following Governor Janet Mills' veto of a temporary statewide ban. The moratorium is intended to provide the town with time to amend its zoning ordinance and address growing concerns related to data center developments.
Developer Daniel Dickinson's attorney, Greg Braun, spoke against the moratorium during the meeting, arguing the town had been aware of the development for over a year. However, Autumn Speer, Scarborough's planning director, clarified that while a site inventory for the Scarborough Technology Park development was approved in May of the previous year, discussions specifically about a data center did not begin until April.
Following Braun's comments, numerous residents voiced their strong support for the moratorium, with many advocating for its extension or a permanent ban on data centers in Scarborough. They cited concerns over the environmental impact on the town's natural resources, particularly highlighting water consumption issues, given existing struggles with water quality and availability. Several councilors, including Jon Anderson, supported the sentiment, stating that data centers are incompatible with Scarborough's identity and environment, emphasizing the long-term significance of the decision.