Lowell Zoning Board and Superior Court Ruling Halting Markley Data Center Expansion

1. Clip 1 · 0:16 Resident public comment Resident Public Comment transcribed from the official recording

   A Massachusetts judge halts expansion of the Markley data center in Lowell following resident litigation over noise and diesel generator emissions.

   "sided with them. Today, WBZ's Louisa Moller spoke with one resident who's been fighting the data center for years. >> These aren't supposed to be here. >> For years, Jake Forts has been in an all out battle with his back door neighbor. He says for 5 to 10 minutes each week, the stack near his backyard spews thick smoke that fills up his home. >> And the whole house smelled of diesel fumes."

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2. Clip 2 · 0:45 Resident public comment Resident Public Comment transcribed from the official recording

   Residents and community speakers address Lowell Zoning Board of Appeals regarding local water, power grid, noise, and zoning impacts.

   "Department of Environmental Protection approved a permit for the data center owned by the Markley Group to have up to 27 diesel generators. And earlier this year, a group of community members filed suit appealing that decision to a Superior Court judge. Yesterday, that judge issued an order that the massive data center in Lowell's Sacred Heart neighborhood cannot add an additional four backup diesel generators."

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3. Clip 3 · 1:26 Lowell Zoning Board of Appeals Member Elected Official Questioning transcribed from the official recording

   Litigation Noise Zoning

   Lowell Zoning Board of Appeals members deliberate on municipal siting standards, utility capacity, and the recorded ordinance action.

   ">> But you think it's not making the noise >> that the neighbor is complaining of. >> Correct. >> [music] >> You think he's exaggerating? >> I think they're exaggerating, yes. >> This is a more than 350,000 square foot facility, and it's been here about a decade. With 23 backup diesel generators already, I asked Jake, why do four generators and the judge's order matter so much? >> It's finally somebody recognizing that"

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