Planning, Development and Transportation on October 19, 2026

At the Boston City Council’s Planning, Development and Transportation Committee hearing on October 19, 2026, members considered Docket 1718, a proposed zoning amendment that would define data centers and prohibit them citywide while exempting ordinary server rooms and computing infrastructure supporting existing institutions. No vote was taken; the docket remains in committee. The discussion focused on potential electricity and water demand, grid impacts, noise, backup generators, land use, environmental justice, and community input. City planning officials said existing zoning makes data centers conditional in limited areas and that large proposals would face Article 80 review; they supported updating zoning definitions but did not consider an outright prohibition necessary. Officials also said the city is developing requirements tied to its C40 data-center pact.

Councilors and witnesses discussed alternatives to a citywide ban, including thresholds based on power or water use, local permitting, cumulative-impact review, energy flexibility and efficiency, public reporting, and protections against shifting infrastructure costs to ratepayers. Hospital, university, and research representatives urged safeguards so the amendment would not inadvertently restrict essential computing infrastructure; environmental and labor advocates emphasized community protections, clean energy, and tangible local benefits. No contracts, vendor selections, spending allocations, or other procurement actions were identified.