Planning Board backs data center moratorium, OKs housing

Planning Board · Meeting of September 15, 2026

Easthampton's Planning Board recommended an 18-month city-wide data center moratorium and approved several housing permits. At a joint hearing with the City Council Ordinance Committee, a board member called 18 months "the absolute sweet spot" and noted Hadley's roughly three-year pause proved too long. The board then removed the chimney-preservation condition at 35 Pleasant St. and approved a Mountainview St. landscaping business, 15 apartments at 142 Pleasant St., a stormwater permit for 14 homes at 132 and 134 West St., and special and stormwater permits for a 12-unit building at 336 Main St. Neighbor Ron Lauren, who farms hay below the West Street site, said he was "worried about the emergency overflow."

In the full story:

• Call to Order and Public Speak
• Approval Not Required: 100 Briggs Street and 79 Clark Street
• Data Center Temporary Moratorium (joint hearing with City Council Ordinance Committee)
• 35 Pleasant Street: Chimney Condition
• Mountainview Street: Landscaping Business
• 142 Pleasant Street: Fifteen Apartments
• 132 and 134 West Street: Special Permit and Stormwater Permit
• 336 Main Street: Twelve Units
• Minutes and Adjournment
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,038 words

Source: the Planning Board meeting of September 15, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.