Westerly Council Adopts One-Year Data Center Moratorium
The Westerly Town Council adopted a one-year data center moratorium to allow time for drafting new zoning rules, citing concerns over electricity and water consumption. This decision aims to establish regulations before new data center development applications are submitted and become vested. The council also approved four Town Charter questions for the upcoming November 3 ballot.
The Westerly Town Council in Rhode Island has adopted a one-year moratorium on data center development, effective immediately. This decision, made at a contentious July 27 meeting, aims to provide the town's Planning Board with sufficient time to draft comprehensive zoning rules for data center facilities, which are currently unregulated in local ordinances. Town officials highlighted the significant electricity and water consumption associated with data centers as a key concern driving the need for new regulations.
During the public hearing, a former Hopkinton Town Council member spoke in favor of the moratorium, emphasizing the importance of establishing regulations before development applications become vested, thereby limiting a community's control. No opposition to the moratorium was voiced. Despite a councilor's concern that one year might not be enough time for the Planning Board's work, the ordinance was approved by voice vote.
The council also addressed several other local issues, including approving four Town Charter questions for the November 3 ballot related to filling council and school committee vacancies, and changes to how the town advertises ordinances. Additionally, a first outline of a proposed short-term rental ordinance was presented, sparking debate among councilors, but no vote was taken on that matter.