North Andover (MA) Planning Board - September 22, 2026

The North Andover (MA) Planning Board met on September 22, 2026, primarily to discuss ongoing public hearings and potential regulatory actions related to data centers. The board accepted continuances for two public hearings concerning a detached accessory dwelling unit and stormwater review for a development project. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the environmental and community impacts of data centers, including water usage, noise pollution, and energy consumption. The board discussed the possibility of drafting a moratorium on new data center developments to allow time for defining data center uses and establishing design standards, especially in light of a recent state executive order requiring community benefits agreements for data centers exceeding 25 megawatts. Members emphasized the need for more local data on water consumption and environmental impacts before proceeding with any moratorium language. They also considered reviewing moratoriums adopted by other Massachusetts municipalities to inform their approach. No formal vote was taken to initiate a moratorium, but the board agreed to continue gathering information and potentially schedule further discussions in upcoming meetings. Additionally, the board approved the 2027 meeting calendar and meeting minutes during the session.