Council asks planning board to review data center proposals rather than impose immediate moratorium

Councilors at a Hampden workshop discussed whether the town should pursue a moratorium or zoning changes to address potential data-center proposals.

A councilor summarized news of nearby municipalities adopting moratoriums and said he wanted to know if Hampden should clarify its position. Planning staff (Paula) told the council that moratoriums are time-limited and may only be renewed a limited number of times; staff recommended that the zoning ordinance be reviewed because that is where regulations for data centers would be added.

Several councilors said a blanket moratorium might be premature without knowing a project's location, size, infrastructure needs and likely impacts. One councilor suggested asking the planning board to research and return with recommended amendments; others cautioned that instituting a moratorium too early could expire before a proposal arrives.

Council consensus was to ask the planning board to review data-center regulation possibilities and return with a recommendation, leaving open the option of a moratorium only if necessary and legally defensible.