Only Tier I data centers, with a maximum projected electrical demand of 2 MW or less at full build-out, may be permitted; Tier II facilities over 2 MW up to 10 MW and Tier III facilities over 10 MW are prohibited. Tier I – Low-Impact Data Center

Tier I data centers are allowed only in the Industrial 1, Industrial 2, and Planned Business Districts, and only by Special Permit from the Planning Board; they are prohibited in all other zoning districts. Tier I facilities permitted only by Special Permit

A Special Permit application must satisfy both the general Special Permit requirements and the additional data-center performance standards, with written Planning Board findings demonstrating compliance. additional performance standards

Applicants must document maximum electrical demand, demonstrate through the Mansfield Municipal Electric Department that capacity is available without impairing existing customers, identify needed infrastructure upgrades, and provide planning-level cost estimates and proposed cost allocation. electric capacity and infrastructure requirements

For phased projects, approval may be conditioned on electric capacity being demonstrated for each phase, and the Planning Board may impose a maximum approved electrical demand and require compliance monitoring. phased development and maximum electrical demand

Applicants must provide average and maximum daily water-use estimates, obtain Department of Public Works documentation that the use can be accommodated, and design cooling systems to minimize potable-water consumption; continuous or seasonal evaporative use of potable water as the primary cooling method is strongly discouraged and requires justification. water-use and cooling-system requirements

The Planning Board may cap maximum daily or annual water use, require consumption monitoring, restrict seasonal use during droughts, condition occupancy on system capacity, and require cost estimates for municipal water, wastewater, or stormwater improvements. water-use conditions and infrastructure costs

Continuous operational noise at the compliance point may not exceed 50 dBA from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. or 45 dBA from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.; generator testing is limited to Planning Board-approved days and hours, and noise studies or post-construction monitoring may be required. noise limits

Backup generators must be identified by number, size, fuel type, and location; they are limited to emergency operation and scheduled testing, and the applicant must demonstrate compliance with applicable state and federal emissions standards. backup power and emissions requirements

Buildings, mechanical equipment, generators, and substations must be designed and screened to minimize impacts on adjacent properties and public ways, and exterior lighting must prevent spillover beyond the site. site-design and screening requirements

Applicants must demonstrate that the facility will not impose an undue burden on municipal services and must estimate the cost of required mitigation or capital improvements and identify who will fund them. municipal-services and infrastructure requirements

Special Permit approval may include limits on electrical load and water use, noise reporting or monitoring, generator-testing restrictions, and phasing tied to demonstrated infrastructure capacity. conditions and safeguards

Operators must submit reports during startup and early operations and continuing annual reports beginning in Year 2; reports must cover electrical demand, water use, compliance with limits, sewer discharges, and operational changes, and must be prepared or certified by a qualified professional. post-approval monitoring and reporting

A data-center Special Permit lasts five years from filing with the Town Clerk, regardless of when construction or operations begin; continued operation requires Planning Board renewal, with the renewal application due at least 90 days before expiration. Failure to apply timely causes the permit to lapse and continued operation becomes a bylaw violation. five-year term and renewal deadline

Increasing approved electrical demand beyond the permitted MW threshold requires Special Permit modification, and substantial operational changes may require a new Special Permit application. modification and substantial-change requirements

Special Permit conditions bind successors, assigns, and operators; ownership or operator changes do not remove compliance obligations, and written notice confirming continued compliance is required before a change in operator. continuing obligations after transfer

Tier I data centers with a maximum projected electrical demand of 2 megawatts or less may be built in the Industrial 1, Industrial 2, and Planned Business districts with a Planning Board special permit. They are prohibited in other districts, and Tier II and Tier III facilities are prohibited.

The electrical-demand calculation excludes on-site solar generation, allowing a facility's solar capacity not to count toward the 2-megawatt Tier I limit.

The Planning Board may approve phased development and condition each phase on demonstrated electric capacity, providing a mechanism for a qualifying facility to be built in stages.

A data-center special permit runs with the land and remains binding on successors, assigns, owners, and operators. A change in ownership or operator does not by itself terminate compliance or the permit.

A data-center special permit may be renewed after its five-year term. The Planning Board may renew it without changes or with conditions reasonably related to demonstrated impacts; a new application is required only for substantial changes.

Emergency operation of backup generators during actual power outages is exempt from the limits on continuous operational sound, while scheduled generator testing remains allowed during times approved by the Planning Board.

The Planning Board may reduce the frequency of required operational reports after finding that the facility has demonstrated sustained compliance with its approved operational limits.