Holyoke Ordinance Committee opens hearing on citywide data center ban

Other Committee · Meeting of February 24, 2026

Holyoke Ordinance Committee opens public hearing on proposed data center ban, advances scooter ordinance fix. The eight-councillor order, anchored by Councillor Panitch, would define data centers as a use and prohibit them in every city zoning district until the council develops a regulatory framework. Panitch argued the city's existing site plan review process lacks the authority to impose binding conditions on applicants: "We ban them now, and we don't get suddenly a giant project for downtown Holyoke that might be dangerous that we can't review." Developers represented by Benjamin Marshall, who disclosed interest in a 50,000-square-foot Water Street project, and property owner Mark Samwick of 111 Mosher Street pushed back, calling the proposal a blanket ban on a small-scale use already present in Holyoke.

The hearing was continued to April 14, 2026, pending a Planning Board recommendation. Separately, the committee voted 4-0 to advance a motorized scooter ordinance amendment tying the city's definition to Massachusetts General Laws chapter 90 sections 1-A and 1-E and marked the graffiti fine order complied with after Board of Health Director Tim Rivers said he already extends notice periods and would shift informally from seven days to 14 days.

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Source: the Other Committee meeting of February 24, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.