Westbrook strips data centers from Rock Row zone, allowing them only as accessory uses

Westbrook City Council members voted unanimously on Monday night to prohibit standalone data centers within city limits. The new land use ordinance removes data centers from the Rock Row Contract Zone, which was previously the only area where such facilities were permitted. Data centers can now exist only as an accessory use, similar to the server rooms found in hospitals or other large institutions.

The city previously allowed data centers with only standard site plan reviews and no specific standards. In June, the council passed a 180-day moratorium to pause new development. Although neighboring towns received building applications, Westbrook did not. During this pause, the planning board reviewed local laws and recommended restricting data centers to accessory uses. They also proposed a new definition for the facilities.

Under the updated rules, a data center is defined as one or more buildings or spaces housing networked computer systems and associated equipment. This includes servers, network hardware, data storage, power generation, and cooling systems used to process and manage data. The definition aims to clarify what counts as a dedicated facility versus a standard IT room.

Mayor David Morse supported the amendment, citing concerns about the heavy demands data places on local resources. He noted issues related to electricity, water usage, noise, and infrastructure strain. Morse stated that the city's resources must first support residents, existing businesses, and housing needs. He described resource-consuming data centers as a poor fit for Westbrook.

The vote concludes the moratorium process initiated in June. Other communities across the state have also adopted temporary bans. Some voters will decide on similar bans in Tuesday's elections. Westbrook's new ordinance takes effect immediately, changing how developers can propose server infrastructure in the city.