[Massplanners] Data Centers

[Dwight Merriam]

I wrote these regulations for a data center developer.  Like most zoning
regulations, they reflect local considerations and are not "plug
and play.".

  Data Center - A data center is a facility used to operate computer
servers and related information technology infrastructure for the storage,
processing, management, and dissemination of electronic data, together with
ancillary equipment including, but not limited to, power subsystems,
telecommunications equipment, uninterruptible power supplies, substations,
cooling systems, fire suppression, backup generators, connections to
external networks, and security.


The regulation is at page 108

https://www.wallingfordct.gov/Customer-Content/www/CMS/files/Updated_Regulations-05-28-25.pdf


Regards,
Dwight Merriam, FAICP




On Wed, Jul 2, 2025 at 2:58 PM cjbritt--- via MassPlanners <
massplanners at masscptc.org> wrote:

> Does anyone have a good zoning definition for a data center that they can
> share with the rest of us?
>
> Thank you.
>
> *Carolyn Britt, AICP*
> *1 Shagbark Woods*
> *Ipswich, MA 01938*
>
> *978-356-9881*
> *978-317-2145 cell*
>
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org> on behalf of
> Jeff Lacy via MassPlanners <massplanners at masscptc.org>
> *Sent:* Wednesday, July 2, 2025 2:25 PM
> *To:* 'John Cruz' <john at cruzweb.net>; 'Indigo Planning LLC' <
> questions-indigoplanning at outlook.com>
> *Cc:* 'Mass Planners' <massplanners at masscptc.org>
> *Subject:* Re: [Massplanners] Data Centers
>
> Or, towns can prohibit data centers in all but general industrial zones
> (at least for now before the state legislature in their wisdom, makes them
> the newest 40A, Section 3 exemption). This avoids the encouragement of
> dangling a special permit out there for applicants to invest their hopes
> in, and saves all parties the time, costs, appeals, and bad feelings that
> arise from not granting the permit.
>
>
>
> Jeff Lacy
>
> Rural Planning Associates
>
> 896 Graves Road
>
> Conway, MA 01341
>
> (413) 230-9693 (cell)
>
> *ruralplanningassociates at crocker.com <ruralplanningassociates at crocker.com>*
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org> *On Behalf Of *John
> Cruz via MassPlanners
> *Sent:* Wednesday, July 2, 2025 12:21 PM
> *To:* Indigo Planning LLC <questions-indigoplanning at outlook.com>
> *Cc:* Mass Planners <massplanners at masscptc.org>
> *Subject:* Re: [Massplanners] Data Centers
>
>
>
> My opinion is that every community needs to make data centers and car
> washes only available via special permit.
>
>
>
> John Cruz, AICP
>
> *www.linkedin.com/in/johncarloscruz
> <http://www.linkedin.com/in/johncarloscruz>*
>
>
>
> On Wed, Jul 2, 2025, 12:14 Indigo Planning LLC via MassPlanners <*massplanners at masscptc.org
> <massplanners at masscptc.org>*> wrote:
>
> Admittedly I don't know where opinions are on this but I did want to
> share: a central MA town is receiving email inquiries from a company called
> Paces about its local regs for data centers.
>
> For those who aren't aware, there are municipalities across the country
> that are fighting against the establishment of data centers in their
> communities.
>
>
>
> Amongst the other issues, significant water consumption is a major concern
> which doesn't impact just the municipality the data center is in but also
> residents in surrounding municipalities that rely on well water.
>
> Delia Ferguson, AICP
>
>
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>
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