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Commission adopts UDC amendments to regulate data, call and technology centers
Summary
The Planning Commission approved amendments to the Unified Development Code to add definitions and permitting categories for data centers, call centers and technology centers; staff said state law limits the city’s ability to exclude data centers from residential zoning and the amendments place them on a special-use track where allowed.
The Cabot Planning Commission passed a package of amendments to the Unified Development Code (UDC) that add definitions and permitting rules for data centers, call centers and technology centers and extend the city’s planning applicability to certain facilities in its planning jurisdiction.
Planning staff explained the changes are intended to give the city greater regulatory clarity for facilities that can be located in residential or commercial areas. The amendment to Article 1 expands the planning jurisdiction language to allow review of residential and commercial developments related to data centers, call centers and technology centers that sit outside city limits but inside the planning jurisdiction.
On whether the city could ban data centers from residential neighborhoods, the commission was told the scope for exclusion is limited by state statute. City counsel (Ben Hooper) confirmed that under current state law the city cannot categorically exclude data centers from any zoning district, though the city can require a special-use permit where state law allows review.
Under the amended Article 4 table of permitted uses, call centers and technology centers would require special-use permits in some districts and be permitted by right in others; data centers would generally require a special-use permit. Article 6 adds definitions to reduce ambiguity, and staff noted that facilities such as crypto-mining operations would likely be classified consistently within the new definitions (data center category).
Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the package. Staff noted the amendments do not retroactively change use rights for existing facilities but create a framework to require public review when those facility types are proposed in the future.
The vote was recorded by roll call and the amendments passed without dissent. Staff will publish the updated code language and process guidance for applicants.
