Scarborough Town Council imposes data center moratorium

Scarborough Town Council in Maine voted unanimously to impose a 180-day moratorium on data centers, effective immediately and retroactive to April 1. The decision targets a proposed 52-acre data center, Scarborough Technology Park, submitted by developer Daniel Dickinson in April, which officials rejected as incomplete. The moratorium will allow the town to review zoning laws and assess the potential impacts of data center development. The move follows similar actions by nearby towns—Sanford, Westbrook, Gorham, and Brunswick—all of which have paused data center projects in recent months. These local responses came after Maine Governor Janet Mills vetoed a temporary statewide ban on data centers earlier this year. Scarborough’s planning director, Autumn Speer, noted that while the town had approved a site inventory for the development last May, discussions about a data center only began in April. During the council meeting, Dickinson’s attorney, Greg Braun, opposed the moratorium, arguing the town had known about the development for over a year. However, residents overwhelmingly supported the pause, citing concerns over environmental damage, water consumption, and the preservation of Scarborough’s natural resources, including beaches, marshes, and wildlife. Many also expressed support for extending the moratorium or permanently banning data centers in the area. Councilor Jon Anderson emphasized the decision’s long-term significance, stating that data centers conflict with Scarborough’s identity and values. He urged caution, calling for more time to understand the full implications. The moratorium will provide the town with a structured period to evaluate potential changes to zoning ordinances and address public concerns before reconsidering future data center proposals.