Lowell City Council pursues data center moratorium, establishes UNESCO task force.
Lowell City Council pursues data center moratorium, establishes UNESCO task force. The City Council voted unanimously January 13 to direct the Law Department to draft a temporary moratorium on new or expanded data center facilities and create a Lowell Learning City Task Force to coordinate the
City Council · Meeting of January 13, 2026
Lowell City Council pursues data center moratorium, establishes UNESCO task force. The City Council voted unanimously January 13 to direct the Law Department to draft a temporary moratorium on new or expanded data center facilities and create a Lowell Learning City Task Force to coordinate the city's UNESCO Learning City participation with schools, universities, cultural organizations, and city administration. Councilor Scott initiated the moratorium to protect residents from buffer-zone violations, noise impacts, and rate increases; speakers Mary Wambui, Jonathan Grossman, and Nancy Castle urged action on the Markley property.
Professor John Wooding presented the UNESCO designation, and Councilors Chau and Rourke championed the task force. The council also unanimously approved out-of-state travel for the Department of Planning and Development and accepted a $3,000 state grant.
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Source: the City Council meeting of January 13, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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