Malden Planning Board Unanimously Backs Data Center Ban, One-Year Moratorium

MALDEN — June 11, 2026 — Malden Planning Board votes 9-0 to recommend a citywide ban on data centers and a one-year moratorium on related permits. The board, meeting jointly with the City Council Rules and Ordinance Committee, backed City Council Paper No. 276-2026, sponsored by Ward 5 Councilor Ari Taylor and co-sponsored by Councilor Linehan, which would prohibit data centers in all zoning districts, establish a new use category and definition, and impose a moratorium running from May 22, 2026 through at least one year from the council's enactment date. Planning Director Michelle Ferguson noted the city is unaware of any existing or proposed data centers, and Councilor Linehan said the dual approach was designed so that "if the moratorium doesn't move forward, there will be use regulations on the books." The board also voted 9-0 to grant a special permit for a small acupuncture clinic at 75 Pleasant Street and 8-0 to approve overnight dog boarding at Big Daddy Doggy Daycare at 10 Maplewood Street — a use that had operated without a permit under the prior owner — subject to seven conditions including submission of a kennel floor plan to the building inspector prior to opening. The board separately voted 8-0 to recommend that the City Council approve a special permit amendment transferring rights at a 36 Charles Street marijuana retailer to a new joint venture entity, DMS Trinity LLC, with a council hearing set for June 23.