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Clark board debates monitoring approach for potential data center proposals
Summary
Board members at the June 4 meeting discussed whether Clark should proactively adopt ordinances addressing data centers, with staff advising caution until state approval criteria and utility capacity issues are clarified.
A board member identified as Bill asked the Clark Planning Board on June 4 to consider being proactive about potential data center proposals, saying the board should look at ordinances or coordinate with the council to address local impacts such as electricity and water demand.
"I think that we should look as a board as to what we can do in order to work on ordinances ... to help with the planning board on things that might be against or for," the member said, noting some tax benefits but urging preparation on utilities and other impacts.
A staff member, Jim, responded that the township currently lacks large parcels suited for major data centers and that electric and water supply issues are governed by state requirements and utility providers such as PSE&G. Jim said it would be premature for Clark to enact an outright ban before state approval criteria, assessment requirements and the governor's policy intentions are clear; he recommended continued monitoring rather than immediate local prohibitions.
Board members noted recent state and federal statements and private-sector actions on self-generation and power supply and said they would keep tracking developments as policy and technology evolve. No ordinance or formal direction was adopted at the meeting.
