Westbrook enacts 180‑day moratorium on data centers, refers ordinance language to planning board

The Westbrook City Council on June 1 adopted a 180‑day moratorium that pauses local consideration of new data center developments while the planning board reviews the city’s land‑use rules and proposed performance standards.

Councilor Shaughnessy moved the first reading of the ordinance, which passed unanimously. Mayor David Morse framed the action as a precautionary pause prompted by state‑level debate and recent regional activity: “There were calls from the legislature for local municipalities to consider enacting their own moratoriums,” he said, adding that a recent application in Scarborough accelerated the need to clarify the city’s policy.

Council discussion focused on the scope of the review and where data‑center uses are currently allowed. A councilor asked whether a data center would be allowed where it is not listed in the ordinance; staff explained that, outside the Rock Row contract zone, data centers are not presently a permitted use and that the planning board review will consider clearer definitions and performance standards related to natural‑resource, electric‑use and water‑use impacts.

The council voted 6‑0 to adopt the moratorium (first reading) and to refer language and definitions to the planning board for study and recommended next steps during the 180‑day pause. The referral is intended to produce draft ordinance language for the council to consider later this year.

The moratorium does not itself change existing zoning beyond the temporary pause; the council will consider any proposed ordinance changes after the planning‑board review.