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Sparta introduces two land‑use ordinances: townwide ban on data centers and zoning changes for ED/PDRM districts
Summary
Sparta Township introduced Ordinance 2611 (which would define and prohibit data centers in all zones) and Ordinance 2612 (amendments to economic development and PDRM1/PDRM2 zones). Both ordinances were introduced by roll call and will next go to the planning board for consistency review and to future hearings.
The Sparta Township Council introduced two land‑use ordinances on June 9: Ordinance 2611, which would add a definition and prohibit data centers in all township zones, and Ordinance 2612, which proposes amendments to the Economic Development (ED), PDRM1 and PDRM2 zoning sections.
Madame Clerk read ordinance titles at the meeting and the council moved and seconded each introduction. Councilman Scott, Councilwoman Murphy, Councilman Clark, Deputy Mayor Sylvester and Mayor Bummedi each voted “yes” on the roll‑call introduction of both ordinances; both measures were therefore formally introduced. No public hearings were held that evening.
Council members and counsel clarified that introducing an ordinance does not signal approval of a final zoning change; land‑use ordinances must go to the planning board for a consistency review against the town’s master plan. Attorney Dash confirmed that the planning board’s role is limited to a consistency determination and that the board may recommend how inconsistencies can be addressed but does not itself adopt zoning language.
At least one member of the public asked whether the ED/PDRM changes were tailored to a specific pending application. Council and staff replied that the changes apply to whole zones identified as candidates for revision (areas around Route 15/House’s Corner and adjacent segments) and were not drafted in response to a single application, though there are pending planning‑board applications in those zones.
Next steps: both ordinances will follow the normal ordinance process (planning‑board consistency review and subsequent public hearings) before the council can adopt final changes.
