Second North Shore City Mayor Proposes Data Center Ban

BEVERLY, MA — The Beverly City Council will hold a public meeting during its Nov. 9 meeting to discuss a proposed moratorium on building permits for data centers within city limits.

Mayor Mike Cahill proposed the zoning ordinance that will also be the subject of a Planning Board meeting.

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Beverly would become the second city on the North Shore to ban the data centers — pending the second and final vote of the Salem City Council on a data center moratorium in that city on Thursday night.

Cahill's proposal states that the city would not accept, process, process or approve any application for a data center, including but not limited to building permits, special permits, site plan approvals or any other zoning ordinance land use.

"The regulation of data centers raises novel and complex legal, planning and infrastructure issues and concerns," Cahill's letter to the City Council said. "The city needs time to study, consider and engage in decision-making regarding this new use and its potential impacts of the use and to undertake a planning process to develop appropriate and reasonable regulations for data centers."

Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo proposed a ban on data centers in that city — arguing that current ordinances may not legally cover rules specific to the emerging use that have raised concerns about energy and water consumption, and the costs to the municipalities that house them.

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Pangallo cited the city's size, density and economic viability, and desire to remain as affordable as possible for current residents and industry workers, in advocating for the ordinance.

"The impacts of these types of facilities are well documented and clear," Pangallo said in a statement posted on social media. "They are not impacts we should voluntarily invite into our community.

"For centuries, Salem has borne the brunt of an industrial legacy handed down from generation to generation. Tanneries and grease works. Coal power plants and sewage treatment facilities. Gas tanks and switchyards. I do not believe we should volunteer ourselves or the generations of Salem residents who will follow us to continue that legacy."

• MA Governor's Order Makes Data Centers Subject To Local Approval

Gov. Maura Healey last month issued an executive order that would force those looking to build data centers to gain municipal approval, a community benefits agreement, and to establish a means to compensate cities and towns for increased energy and water demands before any state permits would be issued for their development.