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After heated hearing, Millville adopts ordinance prohibiting large data centers
Summary
Following expert testimony and over an hour of public comment, Millville’s Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt a second-reading ordinance prohibiting large data centers, citing land‑use protections; proponents urged case‑by‑case standards and economic benefits while opponents raised water, air and equity concerns. (350 chars or less)
Millville’s Board of Commissioners adopted an ordinance on May 19 prohibiting large data centers after a contested public hearing that drew industry experts, economic developers, planners and dozens of residents. The vote was 5–0 on a roll call that recorded “yes” from Commissioner Taylor, Vice Mayor Cott, Commissioner Casa Boone, Commissioner Ranallo and Mayor Dixon.
The public hearing included two broad camps. Representatives for the applicant — led by attorney Michael Molinski — called several witnesses who said modern data-center designs can mitigate the community’s stated concerns. Barry Smith, introduced by counsel as an infrastructure expert and identified in testimony as having worked for Equinix, described technical mitigations including solid-oxide fuel-cell on-site generation, closed-loop or liquid cooling to reduce water use, dielectric fluid cooling and noise-mitigation measures such as setbacks and sound walls. He told the board these technologies, paired with local design standards, can substantially reduce the impacts the ordinance seeks to prevent.
Economic testimony came from Buddy Rizer, Loudoun County’s economic-development official, who described Loudoun’s multi-decade experience with data centers and the fiscal gains his county realized — including a far larger commercial tax base and major infrastructure investments funded by data-center revenues. Rizer said Loudoun secured large commercial tax receipts while limiting residential tax burdens, arguing Millville could consider site-specific conditions rather than an outright ban.
Opponents, including speakers from climate and community groups, urged the commission to uphold the prohibition. Activists and residents raised concerns about groundwater, water pressure and contamination risks in South Jersey aquifers, increased local air pollution from fossil-fuel backup generators, and limited long-term local job creation. Kaylee Henry of the Climate Revolution Action Network urged the commission to follow other municipalities that have restricted data-center development.
Tiffany Morrissey, a licensed planner, cautioned the governing body that the ordinance as written could be overbroad — potentially prohibiting local institutional or business servers and other accessory uses — and that some prohibitions in the draft appear inconsistent with Millville’s master plan and existing land‑use code. She recommended targeted regulatory standards rather than blanket prohibitions.
After hearing testimony and public comment, commissioners moved to adopt the ordinance. The clerk called a roll and the ordinance passed unanimously. The ordinance’s text and its zoning/legal consequences will be reflected in the municipal code and in subsequent implementation steps by planning and zoning staff.
What this means: The governing body has moved the city from a permissive posture (case‑by‑case review advocated by some witnesses) to an explicit prohibition at the municipal ordinance level; implementation and enforcement language and map details will follow through planning and code departments.
