Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Data Centers topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Shamong committee weighs ordinance to bar data centers; residents flag micro-data centers
Summary
The committee discussed a draft ordinance to explicitly prohibit data centers, including 'AI' or 'micro' facilities, after residents expressed concern; solicitor said existing code likely makes such uses non-permitted but a specific prohibition is being drafted for July.
Residents raised alarms about potential data-center development at the township’s June 9 meeting and asked the committee to adopt protective zoning language.
Denise Ashworth asked what the township had in place to protect the community and environment from data centers, referencing agenda item 8. Solicitor Doug Heinhold told the meeting that data centers were not an intended permitted use under the current zoning and any would likely require a use variance — ‘‘the highest level of relief’’ under local board procedures. Still, he said the township is preparing draft ordinance language to explicitly identify and prohibit data centers in all zones as a precaution.
A resident from Stony Creek Court cautioned the committee to consider ‘‘micro data centers’’ that may not use water and offered to send links and information for staff review. Committee members responded they would review suggested language and consult the solicitor before placing a prohibition ordinance on the July agenda.
The committee did not adopt final text on June 9; members asked staff to circulate the draft ordinance for review and suggested additional research on micro-data-center definitions and whether language is needed to capture low-footprint facilities.
Next steps: staff will circulate draft ordinance language, the solicitor will review for coverage of micro-data-center use cases, and the item was scheduled for consideration at the July meeting.
