Old Town became the second Greater Bangor community to pass a short-term ban on data centers Monday.
The six-month ban, which outlaws the development of data centers in the city’s industrial zones, is retroactive to Sept. 8, when the Old Town City Council first discussed the possibility of a ban.
Data center developments are already not allowed in other zones, according to the city’s land use ordinance.
Communities across Maine have passed moratoriums, or temporary bans, on data center developments this year due to the limited knowledge of how they will affect municipalities. The bans, which are generally set to last six months, give towns time to learn about the technology and draft laws to regulate its development.
The Old Town City Council passed the ban unanimously at its Monday meeting. Due to extensive conversation about a possible ban during a September meeting, discussion on the ban Monday lasted for about one minute.
“I think that our conversation last time was pretty substantial and overarching, and as previously stated, it gives us plenty of time to adequately assess the risks and benefits and pros and cons of all that this super complex, super new thing entails,” Councilor Zachary Wyles said.
Residents reached out to councilors before the ban was proposed to say they didn’t want a data center to come to Old Town.
Old Town could be a desirable location for a data center because of its history with businesses like Nine Dragons Paper and Old Town Canoe, and its industrial zones, Council President Christian Pushor said at the Sept. 8 meeting.
Councilors previously said a long-term ban in the form of zoning changes would be sent to a public referendum to allow voters to decide. The next possible election date would be June 2027. The six-month ban is set to expire in March, but an extension to June could be approved.
“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,” Councilor Katrina Wynn said on Sept. 8.