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Cicero board sets July 22 hearing on temporary moratorium for large-scale data centers
Summary
The Town Board voted June 24 to set a July 22 public hearing on a proposed 12-month moratorium on zoning or special-permit applications for large-scale data centers, AI computing facilities and cryptocurrency mining while the town studies infrastructure and regulatory needs.
The Town Board of Cicero on June 24 voted to set a public hearing for 6 p.m. July 22 at Cicero Town Hall to consider a local law imposing a temporary moratorium on zone changes and special-permit applications for large-scale data centers, AI/computing facilities, cryptocurrency mining operations and similar high-intensity computing uses.
The proposed local law, as presented, would take effect upon filing with the secretary of state and automatically expire 12 months later unless the board extends or terminates it earlier. The board described the moratorium as a pause intended to give the town time to study infrastructure demands, public impacts and potential land-use regulations before permitting those uses locally.
"This is more of a fact-finding thing for us," the Chair said, urging public input and study of the potential impacts on power, water and other town infrastructure. A board member asked why the town was setting a moratorium "right now" without a detailed plan; the member said the pause felt like "stop with no plan" and asked how the evaluation would be conducted and who would be engaged. The counselor and staff said the moratorium is meant to buy time to evaluate options and that the county is conducting a separate study it plans to share when complete.
Board members raised both potential concerns and potential benefits: speakers noted uncertainty about local power and water capacity and possible increased demand, but also said any data center project could be negotiated to deliver infrastructure improvements or tax revenue to benefit the town. Several members urged robust outreach and a clear study plan during the moratorium period.
The board approved a voice vote to set the hearing. The hearing notice in the motion names Cicero Town Hall, 8236 Brewerton Road, and states the hearing will consider the temporary moratorium and related land-use provisions.
What happens next: the board will take public comment at the July 22 hearing and may later vote on adopting the moratorium as a local law, extend it, or decline to proceed. The county study referenced by staff was described as ongoing; specific timelines for that study were not provided in the meeting record.
