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Residents press Fanwood council on data-center bans, SoHo abatements and building safety
Summary
Public commenters at the May 18 meeting urged the council to consider banning AI/data centers, questioned the eligibility and timing of SoHo tax abatements and raised fire-lane and utility-pole safety concerns; officials said attorneys are reviewing the abatement issues and staff have performed site visits on fire-lane concerns.
Residents used the May 18 public-comment periods to press the council on several development and safety issues, including a request that Fanwood ban large AI/data-center facilities, questions about tax abatements for recent developments and specific fire-lane and utility-pole safety worries at a mixed-use project.
At the first public-comment block, a speaker representing Fanwood Residents Against Overdevelopment asked the borough to "consider an ordinance banning AI data centers in our small, residential town," citing concerns about energy, water use and environmental strain and noting similar actions by neighboring towns. The speaker asked the council to clarify whether current zoning permits such facilities and requested formal notification practices for rezoning or use changes.
Mayor Colleen Maher and other council members responded that all ordinance changes and zoning amendments are subject to public notice and public meetings, and that the borough will follow statutory notice procedures for any rezoning. When asked specifically whether neighbors would receive certified letters for rezoning within 200 feet, the mayor responded affirmatively.
Later in the meeting resident Gary Morris questioned details of tax-abatement approvals for the 'SoHo' project (and related '40 South' references), including why the number of affordable units and timing of lotteries appeared inconsistent with approval documents. He also presented aerial photos and argued that a dog-run fence and other changes have reduced the width of a required fire lane at the property and could impede ladder-truck access. Mayor Maher said borough officials have conducted site visits, consulted building and fire officials, and will continue to respond to those concerns.
No policy change or ban was adopted at the meeting; council members and staff said they would follow up on legal and technical questions, and residents were encouraged to file OPRA requests or await written responses from borough attorneys.
The council did not suppress the public comments: they were placed on the record and will inform potential future agenda items or staff follow-ups.
