undefined | Everett moves to rein in data centers as pushback grows across Massachusetts by Annie Jonas Everett’s Planning Board voted unanimously on April 6 to endorse a new ordinance that would tighten zoning rules for data‑center projects in the city’s 100‑acre Docklands Innovation District (EDID). Under the current Section 37 code, data centers can be built “by right” in the district, but the proposed amendment would require a discretionary special permit, cap facilities at either 20,000 sq ft or five megawatts (whichever is smaller), and require the center to be an ancillary use within a larger mixed‑use development. The plan also adds safeguards—noise, water, electricity and job‑creation criteria that must be reviewed by the Planning Board—aimed at preventing standalone, resource‑intensive data centers from dominating the site. The ordinance reflects a broader backlash against the rapid expansion of data‑center construction across Massachusetts and the nation. While the state now hosts about 45 data centers—most clustered around Boston—communities such as Lowell have already imposed temporary moratoria, and over 140 activist groups in 24 states have rallied against new facilities due to concerns over noise, air pollution, and strain on water and power supplies. Everett officials, citing the city’s long history as a “dumping ground” for industry and its designation as an environmental‑justice community with low‑income residents, argue that proactive limits are needed before a large data‑center project is proposed. If the City Council approves the ordinance in two successive votes, Everett could become one of the first Massachusetts municipalities to formally regulate data‑center footprints, potentially serving as a model for other towns grappling with the digital‑economy’s physical impact. Planners hope the move will steer development toward more diversified, mixed‑use projects—industrial, high‑tech manufacturing, labs, offices, retail and residential—while preserving community resources and health. The effort underscores a growing demand for statewide standards, with local leaders warning that the current “Wild West” approach leaves communities reacting after the fact rather than shaping their own futures. Read more: undefined #massachusettsnews #everett #environmental-justice #digital-economy