Mohawk adopts data center moratorium, to draft zoning laws
The Town of Mohawk in New York has enacted a six-month moratorium on data center development to allow officials time to draft specific zoning regulations. This pause aims to address concerns regarding the facilities' size and significant demand on resources like electricity and water. The Mohawk Planning Board will now develop proposed zoning laws for the town.
The Town of Mohawk, New York, has implemented a six-month moratorium on data center development, effective until February 13. The Town Board, led by Supervisor Janet DePalma, adopted a local law to pause permitting and installation of data centers, providing officials time to draft comprehensive zoning regulations for these facilities.
Officials expressed concerns over the potential negative impacts of data centers on the rural town, citing their substantial demands on electricity and water resources, and the current absence of specific zoning laws. Supervisor DePalma emphasized the town's intention to ensure that any future data center development aligns with community needs and proper placement.
The action follows a statewide partial moratorium signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, which applies only to hyperscale data centers consuming 50 megawatts or more. However, Mohawk officials found this insufficient for local needs, as it doesn't cover all sizes of data centers and wouldn't allow municipalities adequate time to enact their own regulations. The Mohawk Planning Board is now tasked with studying the issues and proposing zoning regulations for the Town Board's consideration.