Board votes to recommend data center moratorium

Planning Board · Meeting of October 27, 2026

BEVERLY — The Beverly Planning Board voted 7-0 to recommend a one-year data center construction moratorium to the City Council. Planning Director Darlene Wynn said at least 10 Massachusetts communities have adopted similar measures and called the pause a chance to "really think about it and craft zoning" before any project arrives. Member Wayne Miller called water concerns about data centers "somewhat overblown" but said electricity demand is not.

The board separately opened hearings on a 179-unit Stop & Shop redevelopment at 37 Enon Street seeking a special permit to cut required parking from 367 to 281 spaces, including 22 affordable units. Resident Anita Walk said she was "appalled by this project," while others cited Metropolitan Area Planning Council data supporting less parking near transit. The board voted 6-1 to send the plans to the Clean Energy Advisory Committee and continued the hearing to November 17.

In the full story:

• Temporary Moratorium on Data Center Construction
• Stop and Shop Redevelopment Hearing, 37 Enon Street
• Other Business: OSRD Hearing Date and Minutes Approval
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,656 words

Source: the Planning Board meeting of October 27, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.