Bangor committee weighs data center moratorium, housing strategy

The Business and Economic Development Committee discussed potential regulations for data centers, with several councilors favoring a temporary moratorium to allow for further research. Staff also presented a comprehensive housing strategy and proposed using the Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program to provide developers with low-cost capital.

Key points

• Councilors expressed strong support for a temporary moratorium on data centers to address concerns regarding energy usage, water consumption, and grid stability.
• Staff presented a housing strategy that includes a neighborhood revitalization plan and a proposal to access the Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program for affordable housing development.
• The committee voted to authorize staff to prepare a proposal for the Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program.
• Staff provided an update on the long-term rental registry pilot, noting that a permanent registry is being considered to improve data collection and landlord engagement.
• The committee voted to enter executive session to discuss specific property matters, including a developer extension and a property sale.

Next steps

• Staff will investigate the legality of a data center moratorium and report back to the committee.
• Staff will prepare a proposal for the Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program.
• Staff will hold an additional landlord engagement session on March 12 at the library.

Read the full transcript