Industrial Park zoning amendments

Votes

Every time it came up newest first

1. Mon, Mar 30 · Planning Board

   Public hearing: Zoning amendment for data centers

   The board opened a public hearing on an amendment to Town Code Section 174-9 regarding special permits to regulate data centers in the Industrial Park district for Annual Town Meeting Article 17. The chair clarified that the Planning Board is proposed as the special permit granting authority to align with site plan review authority and streamline permitting. With no public testimony offered, the board voted to continue the hearing to its pre-Town Meeting meeting.

   • Proposed amendment adds Section K to Town Code Section 174-9.
   • Governs data centers in the Industrial Park (IP) district.
   • Included in the Annual Town Meeting warrant as Article 17.
   • Planning Board would serve as the special permit granting authority.

   Outcome: Continued to April 11, 2026, at 9:00 AM.

   Watch at 0:24 · See the whole meeting

2. Wed, Mar 25 · Advisory Committee

   Planning Board zoning warrant articles presentation

   Planning Board Vice Chair Marnie Hoolahan presented proposed zoning bylaw amendments heading to Town Meeting. Key discussions focused on Article 17, which overhauls the outdated Industrial Park district regulations, establishes performance standards for noise, vibration, and odors, and institutes a 1,000-foot buffer setback from residential and conservation land for data centers and clean energy infrastructure. The board also reviewed administrative updates to replace references to the dissolved SHOPC committee with the Southborough Affordable Housing Trust and to fix transcription errors in the MBTA Communities zoning table.

   • Article 17 modernizes Industrial Park zoning rules untouched for roughly 40 years, capping uses by right at 50,000 square feet.
   • Data centers and small clean energy infrastructure would require a 1,000-foot setback from residential abutter boundaries and conservation land.
   • Article 17 prohibits biological agents at biosafety levels 3 and 4 as well as chemical warfare materials.
   • Article 30 replaces outdated Southborough Opportunity Partnership Committee (SHOPC) references with the Southborough Affordable Housing Trust (SAHT).
   • Article 31 corrects transcription errors in the MBTA Communities overlay dimensional table by removing or and percentage signs.

   Outcome: Discussion completed; the committee deferred action on Article 17 and took up the remaining articles for formal votes later in the meeting.

   Watch at 2:42 · See the whole meeting

3. Mon, Mar 23 · Planning Board

   Article 17: Industrial Park zoning update and data centers

   The board reviewed a presentation prepared for Annual Town Meeting on Article 17, which overhauls the town's 40-year-old Industrial Park zoning regulations. The amendment establishes performance standards for noise, vibration, and odors, incorporates required state standards for small clean energy infrastructure, and creates a comprehensive special permit framework for data centers capped at 50,000 square feet.

   • Limits data centers to 50,000 square feet with a 1,000-foot setback from residences and conservation land.
   • Mandates at least two neighborhood meetings and notice to residents within a half-mile for proposed data centers.
   • Establishes strict baseline noise controls and limits generator testing.
   • Requires a two-thirds majority vote at Town Meeting to pass.

   Outcome: Hearing continued to April 11, 2026, at 9:00 AM.

   Watch at 5:16 · See the whole meeting

4. Tue, Mar 10 · Select Board

   Zoning bylaw amendments (Articles 31-35)

   The board reviewed proposed zoning changes from the Planning Board, including updates for Accessory Dwelling Units to comply with state law, corrections to the MBTA zoning overlay, and major revisions to the Industrial Park District. The Industrial Park District article introduces regulations and special permit requirements for data centers and battery energy storage systems.

   • Article 31 updates ADU bylaws to conform to state law (allowing ADUs up to 1,200 square feet by right); approved 5-0.
   • Articles 33, 34, and 35 (Shopsy definition update, MBTA zoning correction, and temporary banners) approved 5-0.
   • Article 32 updates allowed uses in the Industrial Park District, adding performance standards and special permit requirements for data centers and battery storage systems; held until March 17.
   • The board agreed to move the Industrial Park and Costco liquor license articles earlier in the Town Meeting warrant order.

   Outcome: Articles 31, 33, 34, and 35 supported 5-0; Article 32 held for further review.

   Watch at 2:43:00 · See the whole meeting

5. Tue, Mar 10 · Board of Health

   Energy storage system regulations

   The board discussed whether to adopt Board of Health regulations for battery energy storage systems as the Planning Board prepares industrial zoning bylaws. Staff reported that state Department of Energy Resources regulations are expected in April, and the board noted it holds independent legal authority to establish health conditions on such systems without Town Meeting approval.

   • Planning Board is updating industrial park zoning bylaws to incorporate energy storage
   • State Department of Energy Resources regulations are expected to be released in April
   • Board of Health can adopt local health regulations independently after public hearings
   • Staff is consulting regional public health resources to review regulations used in other towns

   Outcome: Staff will research regional models and monitor state regulations

   Watch at 6:35 · See the whole meeting

6. Tue, Mar 3 · Municipal Technology Committee

   Industrial Park zoning amendments for battery storage and data centers

   Planning representatives briefed the committee on proposed Town Meeting amendments to update Industrial Park district zoning regulations, which have not been substantially revised since the 1980s. The amendments aim to put local guardrails in place for battery energy storage systems, which state regulations protect under the Dover Amendment if at least 1% solar-powered, and for data centers. Officials noted that while regional electric costs make commercial data centers unlikely, proactive definitions protect the town from unregulated development.

   • Industrial Park district use regulations have not been updated since the 1980s.
   • State regulations classify battery storage systems as Dover Amendment exempt if at least 1% solar-powered, limiting local denial authority.
   • Proposed bylaws establish baseline guardrails for both battery storage and data centers.
   • Officials are preparing an educational presentation and FAQ for residents prior to Town Meeting.

   Outcome: Discussion only; informational materials will be prepared ahead of Town Meeting.

   Watch at 10:24 · See the whole meeting