The Old Town City Council approved the first step toward a temporary ban on data centers in the city.
Councilors discussed the draft of the short-term ban, or moratorium, on data centers in Old Town’s industrial zones during their meeting Tuesday, and voted unanimously to continue the process at a special council meeting on Sept. 21.
Maine communities have brought forward bans on data centers throughout the year to slow down possible projects and allow time to learn about the economic and environmental effects they can have on a community before enacting policies or long-term bans. Old Town’s ban was brought forward as a “proactive opportunity” to learn and create policy before a center is proposed to be built in the city, Councilor Zachary Wyles said.
The proposed ban would last 180 days and be retroactive to Tuesday’s meeting.
Old Town could be a desirable city for a data center because of its industrial zones and history of having businesses like Nine Dragons Paper and Old Town Canoe, Council President Christian Pushor said. With centers being proposed in other areas of the state, it makes sense for the council to temporarily ban the developments while studying the economic and environmental effects they could have, Pushor said.
“I’ve heard from several constituents around saying, ‘Hey, we don’t want this. We don’t want that.’ For me, it’s a lot more about finding out [about the centers],” Pushor said.
If councilors decide a change in the city’s ordinances is needed after 180 days, Old Town’s zoning could be changed. With data centers being a divisive topic in many communities, Councilor Katrina Wynn suggested the issue be sent to voters if a change is proposed.
While it wasn’t voted on at Tuesday’s meeting, Wynn’s fellow councilors seemed to agree and said the question could be sent to referendum next year.
The proposed six-month ban would last until March, leaving three months to get the referendum on the next election ballot in June. The council could extend the ban until that vote.
It would cost roughly $7,000 to hold the vote, City Clerk Laura Engstrom said.
The ban will be discussed at two more meetings before the council can approve the ban.
The council only voted to put the issue on future agendas on Tuesday, but the proposed moratorium seemed to have support from a majority of members. Based on councilors’ comments about community feedback on the centers, the referendum for an ordinance change may also be supported by residents.
“I feel like this is such a hot topic that I would like it to go to the public instead of relying on people who have the time and energy to contact us,” Wynn said.