Moratorium on data centers passes town board

The Town of Brookhaven held a public hearing and vote on a motion to impose an 18-month moratorium on data centers in the Town of Brookhaven on Thursday, July 16.

After nearly five hours of community speakers, the board voted and the motion carried. The meeting lasted until almost midnight.

At the start of the public hearing, Town of Brookhaven supervisor Dan Panico addressed the crowd of over 300 residents.

“People have strong opinions on the issue. There are no proposed data centers here as a part of this hearing tonight. This is about a moratorium so the Town of Brookhaven can draft code,” said Panico.

Assemblyman Joe DeStefano, who recently voted against a statewide moratorium in Albany, was the first speaker.

“I have long believed that land use and zoning decisions belong to local governments and not Albany. Towns and cities know the character of their communities and can determine what types of development are appropriate within their borders,” said DeStefano.

DeStefano brought up his previous opposition to mandates for high-density housing near the Long Island Rail Road and said that “home rule” also applies to data centers.

“As an assemblyman, I have an obligation to consider the needs of all New Yorkers. Many of the economically challenged communities are actively seeking data center projects offering the potential for good-paying union jobs, permanent employment opportunities and substantial private investment.”

The first speaker from the public was Tatiana LaSalle representing the Long Island Association (“Region’s leading nonprofit and nonpartisan business organization since 1926 and amplifies the voice of the business community,” according to their website).

One of the few speakers who did not speak in favor of the moratorium, LaSalle was met with boos from the crowd when she spoke of “keeping Long Island competitive” (like neighboring states), the “thousands of construction jobs,” and remaining an “innovative economy” in fields like life sciences and defense technology.

Denise Schnitman, a homeowner in the town for over 27 years, expressed her concern that East Yaphank’s data center by Wildflower, should it have been built, would be “right in my backyard” and possibly impact on the landfill plume.

Barbara Chancellor, a multi-generational Town of Brookhaven resident and representing the Brookhaven NAACP, also spoke about the landfill.

“We have enough pollution in that area,” said Chancellor.

She said the neighborhood of the proposed Wildflower data center was chosen for the lower housing prices in the area.

“Protect all the people in Brookhaven,” said Chancellor as an outgoing message that was received with strong applause.