Winchester residents made their opposition to AI data centers clear during a packed city commission meeting, raising concerns about water and electricity demand, pollution, farmland, infrastructure costs and how much say residents would have over future projects.
An informal show of hands indicated overwhelming opposition among people in the room to allowing an AI data center in Winchester. Commissioners unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on data center development, giving the city time to study potential impacts and develop zoning rules.
Officials have said Winchester currently has no data center proposal pending, but warned that the absence of specific zoning regulations could leave the city vulnerable.
