Hopkinton council asks planning board to study zoning change to bar data centers

Hopkinton Town Council voted to send a request to the planning board asking it to study and recommend a zoning amendment to prohibit data centers in town.

Vice President and Councilor Robert Burns sponsored the item and moved that the council “send this to the planning board with recommendation to prohibit data centers in the town of Hopkins.” Burns said the council should refer the matter so planning staff can draft a permanent ordinance rather than an interim control.

Supporters referenced work done by neighboring Smithfield. Al Diorio of Woodville Road, who urged action, pointed to Smithfield's staff report and described several areas for study, saying in part, “These facilities use enormous amounts of water in their cooling process.” The Smithfield memo — described at the meeting as roughly 53 pages — identifies electric demand, water demand and cooling systems, noise and mechanical equipment, land-use compatibility and visual character as primary areas for analysis.

Councilors discussed whether to ask for an outright prohibition in all zoning districts or an interim control. Several councilors said they preferred a permanent prohibition and asked staff and the town attorney to frame the motion so the planning department would prepare an ordinance rather than a temporary control.

The motion as amended was approved on roll call. The council recorded ayes from the seated councilors; the motion passed and the planning board will undertake the public process required for zoning changes, including public hearings and a recommendation back to the council.

What happens next: The planning board must review the referral, hold any required hearings and return a recommendation to the council; if the planning board proposes a zoning amendment it will ultimately return to the town council for further votes and any public hearing required by the zoning enabling process.