Data Centers: Daily Notes | April 2, 2026
Maine poised to become the first state to freeze large data center construction. Huron County expands moratorium from six months to three years. Charlotte residents petition against facility near nature preserve.
At A Glance 🔽
- Maine poised to become first state to freeze large data center construction; ban would run until November 2027.
- East Whiteland, PA supervisors will weigh 60% expansion proposal after planning commission meeting.
- Charlotte, NC community pushes back on 40,000-square-foot facility near Reedy Creek Nature Preserve with 3,100-signature petition.
- Yorkville, IL council tables vote on 80-acre proposal; likely to revisit April 14.
- Huron County, MI Planning Commission expands moratorium to three years to develop data center regulations.
- Gage County, NE tasks planning commission with data center review; no moratorium yet.
Maine
"Resolve, to Establish the Maine Artificial Intelligence Data Center Coordination Council"
Maine is poised to become the first state to freeze large data center construction, a move that would set national precedent as communities across the country grapple with AI-driven development. The bill calls for a ban on major new data center construction until November 2027, giving the state time to assess environmental and electricity grid impacts. Construction of a data center at the site of an old paper mill in Jay is expected to begin in July.
"An Act to Establish the Maine Data Center Coordination Council and Place a Temporary Limitation on Certain Data Centers"
East Whiteland, Pennsylvania
Dane Artisola
Continuation from March 23, 2026 Daily Notes
The township's board of supervisors will decide whether to approve a 60% expansion of a previously approved data center on Swedesford Road.
The Planning Commission passed the amended plan to supervisors without a full recommendation after hours of heated public comment. Hundreds of residents attended Monday's meeting, many opposing the increase to more than 1.6 million square feet. Developers Sentinel Data Centers and Green Fig Land LLC argue the updated plan meets existing zoning parameters and brings modern technology, including waterless chillers to reduce water use. The facility would sit on a remediated Superfund site across from Malvern Hunt's 280 homes and intersects the Chester Valley Trail. Construction would take two years.
Charlotte, North Carolina
A petition with over 3,100 signatures urges City Council to reject American Tower Corporation's rezoning request for a 40,000-square-foot data facility near Reedy Creek Nature Preserve.
🪵Reedy Creek Nature Center and Preserve
The Boston-based company seeks to change 58 acres from office and neighborhood use to commercial. If approved, the facility could open by mid-2028 on Hood Road, roughly one mile southeast of the preserve.
At-large Councilwoman Dimple Ajmera, who lives near the site, is proposing a moratorium on residential-area data centers and mandatory recycled water and cooling systems. The public hearing is scheduled April 20, with zoning committee review May 5 and a potential council vote as soon as May 18.
Yorkville, Illinois
The city council tabled a vote on an 80-acre data center proposal during its March 24 meeting and is likely to revisit it April 14.
Developers Yorkville Nexus V LLC and Green Door Capital have modified plans since the planning commission voted the proposal down in January, but the city hasn't sent the revised version back for review.
The project seeks to rezone 91 acres to manufacturing while preserving a 37-acre parcel for multi-family residential use, donated to the city. Plans include a 1,500-foot setback from Caledonia homes and an agreement not to develop east of Rob Roy Creek. Developers committed to a $10 million impact fee.
Huron County, Michigan
The Planning Commission voted unanimously to expand a data center moratorium from six months to three years. The extended pause gives the county time to develop regulatory standards while addressing community concerns about farmland, environment, and economic impact.
The decision follows months of resident pushback against large industrial projects. The moratorium now advances to the Huron County Board of Commissioners for approval. A public hearing on April 1 allowed residents to voice opposition directly to planning commissioners.
Gage County, Nebraska
The county board approved a resolution tasking the planning commission with a data center review, stopping short of declaring a moratorium. Board Chairman Eric Tiemann expressed concern that a moratorium could send the wrong message to potential business.
Data center operators have taken options on parcels throughout southeast Nebraska counties, and water use emerged as the key concern. The planning commission could recommend a moratorium during its review if needed. No special use permit filings for data centers have been received yet. The next planning commission meeting is April 23.
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