Cisco Systems

Northborough Planning Board eyes sharper bylaws for data centers

The Northborough Planning Board in Massachusetts is looking to establish a definition for "data center" within the town's bylaws, specifying that they are allowed in the Industrial District through a special permit. The proposed bylaw updates would add criteria the board may evaluate, including electrical infrastructure, water supply, noise, air quality, and traffic. The town is reaching out to neighboring Marlborough, which is said to have a "couple" data centers, to see if there have been any concerns.