Lowell Enacts Moratorium on Data Center Construction
The city council implements a 360-day freeze on new facility developments amid ongoing community legal challenges.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Data Centers
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In March 2026, the Lowell City Council unanimously passed a 360-day moratorium on the construction and expansion of commercial data centers. This policy follows rising community concerns regarding the impact of the existing Markley Lowell Data Center on the local area.
Why it matters
Residents have raised significant concerns regarding noise, dust, fumes, and cooling tower emissions associated with the 352,000-square-foot facility. While supporters highlight job creation and the redevelopment of industrial sites, the legal friction continues to stall expansion plans.
The Markley facility operates with 27 backup diesel generators that perform five-minute tests weekly, producing sound levels measured at 44 decibels. The company currently employs more than 100 full-time staff in Lowell.
The players
Lowell City Council
The local governing body responsible for passing municipal ordinances, including the city's recent moratorium on data center construction.
Markley Lowell Data Center
A 352,000-square-foot facility that has been the subject of local controversy regarding its environmental impact and tax incentives.
Conservation Law Foundation
An environmental advocacy organization that is providing legal representation to residents challenging the expansion of the data center.
The details
The Conservation Law Foundation is representing local residents who secured a temporary injunction in August 2026 to halt the facility's expansion. The conflict centers on environmental and quality-of-life impacts, despite the company's efforts including planting 2,000 trees.
Timeline
In 2015, the city council approved a 20-year tax break for Markley.
The city council unanimously passed a 360-day data center moratorium in March 2026.
A court granted a temporary injunction against data center expansion in August 2026.
The Tech Race
This moratorium highlights the growing friction between municipal infrastructure needs and the rapid expansion of digital storage facilities. It marks a significant departure from the city's 2015 tax incentive agreement which originally prioritized the attraction of major data center operators.
Local residents may see a reduction in potential noise and emissions while the 360-day construction freeze remains in effect. The city's decision regarding the $77 million tax break status will determine if current economic priorities remain aligned with public concerns.
The takeaway
The situation in Lowell illustrates the increasing tension between large-scale industrial projects and residential quality of life. Residents and developers often find common ground only after formal legal interventions or mandatory pauses in construction schedules.
Further reading
For more information on the industry, visit the Data Centers section.
Live Poll
Do you believe the economic benefits of local data centers justify the impact on residential neighborhoods?
