Lowell enacts data center development moratorium
Lowell City Council adopts data center moratorium after extended public debate. The Council voted 10 to 0, with Councilor Rourke abstaining due to a conflict of interest, to restrict data center development while the city studies environmental and community impacts. Business advocates, including
City Council · Meeting of March 10, 2026
Lowell City Council adopts data center moratorium after extended public debate. The Council voted 10 to 0, with Councilor Rourke abstaining due to a conflict of interest, to restrict data center development while the city studies environmental and community impacts. Business advocates, including supporters of Markley, a local data center operator with significant employment, urged reconsideration, while residents cited environmental and health concerns.
In separate business, the Council unanimously voted to declare the property at 48 Kinsman Street a dangerous nuisance and order its demolition.
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Source: the City Council meeting of March 10, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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