The Hudson Planning Board held a public hearing on Jan. 7 to discuss several proposed warrant articles that would amend the zoning code. One of the most debated proposals was Amendment 4, which would add “Data Centers” as a permitted use in industrial zones. Supporters argued that the zoning code lacks a clear definition and needs to be updated to reflect technological growth.
“More and more, all you’re hearing about [is] AI and data centers and what they draw utility-wise and all that,” explained Board member James Crowley, who spearheaded the warrant article. “I just thought, let’s get something on the books.”
He argued that “economics” would ultimately drive zoning decisions without clearer guidelines for potential new projects. Any proposed data center would still require a special exception from the Zoning Board.
“I would be a bigger fan of putting forward an amendment that actually would ban them or block them from ever being built in this town,” said Board member Victor Oates. “If I was a patient, big tech person and there was a plot of land that wasn’t being utilized for what it was originally for, it’d probably take me about seven to ten years to get work with the state and get everything in place for a giant hyperscale facility over on that piece of property.”
He criticized the strain large data centers can place on local electricity and water infrastructure.
“Can we, as a town planning board, put forth an amendment to ban them?” asked Board member Julia Paquin. “Can we actually not allow something like that in our town?”
Associate Planner Ben Witham-Gradert confirmed that New Hampshire municipalities can choose to disallow certain types of construction, including data centers. However, he noted that such bans are “infrequently done” and can be difficult to implement.
“To wholesale ban an entire category, regardless of scale or regardless of intensity, is tricky to do,” he added.
The amendment would also establish a legal definition for data centers.
“Having a definition helps us in getting this ball started,” said Alternate Todd Boyer, though several Board members questioned whether the proposed definition – “a facility used to house and operate computer, telecommunication, or data storage systems” – was too vague.
“I don’t think this definition really defines much. I think it may actually limit certain things that would be allowed,” said Paquin. “I’m concerned that the definition isn’t adequate, because it’s very small. I agree with having something on the books, I just don’t know if this would be an adequate thing is my concern.”
With no active proposal to build a data center in Hudson, Board Chair Tim Malley questioned whether the amendment would have any practical effect.
“I don’t think the reality of a data center coming into the Town of Hudson with our current electrical rates and power structure is plausible,” said Malley. “I definitely don’t see it as an urgent thing.”
Selectman Liaison Bob Guessferd agreed that more discussion was needed, saying it was likely unwise to add an “undeveloped” idea into the zoning code.
“If we can get some more definition behind it, we can address it,” he said. “I think we have to do something, but not necessarily today.”
