Council refers data-center, roof-mounted wind and parking zoning changes to planning board or committee

The Salem City Council on July 9 voted to refer several zoning matters to the planning board or relevant committees, setting the stage for more detailed public hearings and technical review.

Councilor Varela moved to refer a zoning ordinance amendment relative to data centers to the planning board for a joint public hearing. Supporters said the referral is a proactive step to define where data centers should or should not be allowed in Salem; councilors noted the proposal would make clear the citys zoning stance ahead of any proposals.

Public commenters had already raised land-use concerns. Josiah Guthrie told the council that the Markley data center in Lowell occupies roughly eight acres, employs about a dozen daily workers and, he said, consumes tens of thousands of gallons of water per day; he contrasted job density on industrial sites with other city uses.

Separate measures were routed for additional study: Councilor King asked the Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs (co-posted with the Committee of the Whole) to draft a zoning ordinance for compact, roof-mounted wind energy systems so residents would have a pathway to adopt rooftop wind. Councilor King and other supporters said the change would enable energy choices for homeowners.

Councilor King also moved to refer an amendment to required-parking-space rules (to align two-family housing with the citys earlier removal of parking minimums for larger multi-family dwellings) to the planning board for a joint public hearing; the council recessed briefly during procedural checks and then approved the referral.

All three referrals are procedural steps that trigger technical review and public hearings before the council takes final action.