Auburn economic panel reviews permitting guide, data center zoning plans
Other Committee · Meeting of August 20, 2026
Auburn's Economic Development Committee previewed a new business permitting guide and flagged a looming Planning Board fight over data centers. The town's economic development director said a draft guide built with the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission should be finalized by late September; a member named Mike said it currently "doesn't help a business" navigate which requirements matter most to them. The Planning Board holds a September 8 hearing weighing a ban versus a one-year moratorium on data centers, citing water use and noise concerns raised in other communities.
The committee also learned the Planning Board has already recommended an inclusionary zoning bylaw and a fix to the regional mall overlay district's height limits, mistakenly capped at 35 feet instead of up to 110 feet. Members declined to seek a seat at the assessor's office's annual tax classification presentation to the Select Board, preferring an advisory role instead. The July 6, 2026 minutes were approved as presented.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 3,313 words
Source: the Other Committee meeting of August 20, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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