Brunswick Town Council Workshop - August 3, 2026: Data Center Ordinance and Main Street Overlay Discussion

The town council held a workshop on Monday, August 3, 2026, to discuss two items: a proposed data center ordinance (following a June 1 moratorium) and a Main Street overlay district aimed at encouraging higher-density mixed-use development. The planning department presented initial frameworks, and the council provided feedback. Public comment was taken on the data center item. The council agreed by straw poll to set a public hearing for the Main Street overlay at the upcoming regular meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mark Battle (Bunker Street, Brunswick; member of the Climate Action Plan working group): Reminded the council of the unanimously adopted carbon reduction targets and urged that any data center be required to produce its own renewable energy without local or distant carbon emissions.
• Tucker Favreau (Brunswick; also on the Sustainability Committee, speaking as a resident): Raised technical concerns including PFAS in fire suppression systems, micro-leaks in closed-loop cooling, the need for quarterly reporting in the first two years, and the potential for community benefits agreements. He also noted that the state’s moratorium applied to 20 MW or higher, so Brunswick should not wait for state action on smaller facilities.
• William White (Union Street, Brunswick; also on the Sustainability Committee, speaking as a resident): Emphasized that material impacts such as noise, heat, and chemical pollution extend beyond zoning boundaries, urging the council to consider actual material impacts rather than abstract zoning maps.

Discussion Items

• Data Center Ordinance: Planning Director Larry and intern Tyler McGrath presented a proposed framework distinguishing between minor (100 kW to 1 MW) and major (1 MW+) data centers, both limited to the Growth Industrial (GI) district. Minor facilities would require a conditional use permit; major facilities would require contract zoning with council approval. Key council feedback included:

  • Councilor Teamy raised detailed technical concerns about heat output, closed-loop cooling, the 50% roof solar requirement, and the need for electrical usage reporting.
  • Councilor Ellis expressed a preference for a total capacity cap and opposed contract zoning for major data centers, favoring a prohibition.
  • Councilor Weems answered no to contract zoning and yes to further technical analysis to support a prohibition.
  • Councilor McDonald supported contract zoning to allow flexibility for potential small-scale needs (e.g., hospital data centers) but suggested a proportional cap tied to industrial use.
  • Councilor Perault was concerned about 1 MW being too large (equivalent to 800–4,300 homes) and asked about enforcement.
  • Councilor Ecker asked about state-level efforts and supported a cap and further analysis.
  • Councilor Hicks worried about loopholes where large projects could be split into smaller pieces.
  • Councilor Brook noted the state's Data Center Advisory Council is working on regulations but may not produce enforceable rules until 2028–2029.
  • The council’s straw poll on four guiding questions showed broad support for distinguishing by electrical demand, uncertainty on minor facility standards, opposition to contract zoning for major facilities, and support for hiring a technical expert to analyze a potential prohibition.

• Main Street Overlay: Planning staff presented a proposed overlay district along Main Street between Mill and Noble Streets, allowing buildings up to 4.5 stories (55 ft flat roof, 65 ft pitched roof) with a 15 ft stepback above 40 ft adjacent to residential uses. Requirements include 60% ground-floor fenestration, active commercial uses, high-quality materials, and reduced parking (1 space per dwelling unit, retail parking demand studies). The overlay is based on form-based code principles and consultant Able City’s analysis. The planning board and village review board have recommended consistency with the comprehensive plan. Council feedback:

  • Councilor Perault supported the concept but was concerned about parking adequacy, noting the 2025 parking study found sufficient capacity but some users may need to walk five minutes.
  • Councilor Ellis supported the overlay but urged prioritization of retaining Main Street retail frontage and suggested a parking garage.
  • Councilor Teamy expressed strong support with minor reservations.
  • Councilor Weems requested more time for public input before action.
  • Chair (Councilor McDonald) called for a straw poll on setting a public hearing that night; a majority approved, so the public hearing will be set at the regular meeting following the workshop.

Key Outcomes

• Data Center Ordinance: The council provided initial direction. Staff will continue research, address technical concerns (e.g., heat output, reporting, loopholes), and return with an updated draft. No formal vote was taken.
• Main Street Overlay: The council agreed (by straw poll) to set a public hearing for August 17, 2026, at the regular town council meeting. The formal vote to set the hearing will occur at that meeting. The overlay will be further discussed and amended as needed after public input.