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Select Board to seek public hearing on two‑year interim moratorium for large data centers
Summary
Select Board members proposed an interim two‑year moratorium on new commercial data centers drawing 20 megawatts or more while officials craft permanent zoning standards; town attorney advised following 24 VSA §44:15 procedural prerequisites and warned about clear definitions to avoid unintended bans.
The Morristown Select Board and Planning Commission agreed to hold a public hearing on a proposed interim zoning bylaw to pause siting of large commercial data centers.
Select Board member Leah, who led the presentation, said the interim bylaw would give planners two years to develop permanent standards. "A 2 year moratorium limited to new commercial data centers with anticipated electric demands of 20 megawatts or greater represents a balanced and a measured approach that would provide sufficient time to develop permanent zoning standards while preserving flexibility for future economic development," she said.
Town Attorney Dave Rue urged the board to follow statutory prerequisites for interim bylaws under 24 VSA §44:15 and to warn hearings properly. "The statute for adopting interim bylaws has a number of potential prerequisites that need to be met," he said, adding that the public hearing itself should be warned with sufficient advance notice so the town meets the statute's prerequisites.
Planner Tyler and LCPC member Tasha Wallace cautioned that careful definitions and exemptions matter. Tyler warned that bylaws should be enforceable and not unintentionally prohibit community facilities; Tasha noted regional lessons and encouraged outreach: "I think folks are going in the right direction, looking at unintended consequences," she said, and highlighted differences in scale between typical local loads and the 20‑megawatt threshold under discussion.
The board set an internal drafting timetable: draft interim language to be circulated by Wednesday evening for review by the town attorney and board liaisons, with a potential public hearing targeted for Aug. 24 (subject to required 15‑day public‑notice rules). Officials stressed this process would focus on general criteria (size, utility demand, water, noise) and not on any specific project.
