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Council adopts a 160-day moratorium on data-center development
Summary
The Bangor City Council voted unanimously to enact a 160-day moratorium on new data-center development to allow staff to draft development-code amendments addressing infrastructure, environmental and neighborhood impacts.
The Bangor City Council on April 13 adopted ordinance 26-138, a temporary moratorium on data-center development in the city, citing rapid, unanticipated development pressure and gaps in existing land-use rules.
A council member introduced the ordinance saying data centers often require "substantial electricity and water usage for cooling and related operations," can generate air, water and noise impacts, and may occupy large amounts of land. The draft called for a 160-day moratorium to give staff time to update the land-development code with standards to mitigate infrastructure demands and neighbor impacts.
Councilors voted 9-0 to waive the rule requiring two separate readings and then passed the ordinance by roll call 9-0. Several councilors said the moratorium is a temporary, precautionary measure to ensure regulations keep pace with a fast-moving industry.
Next steps: staff will prepare proposed code amendments during the moratorium period for subsequent public hearings and planning-board review.
