Planning board finds council’s proposed ban on data centers consistent with master plan

The Old Bridge Township Planning Board on June 25 voted to find a council-introduced ordinance that would prohibit data centers in most township zoning districts consistent with the township master plan.

The planner said data centers are not a permitted use except in three locations: the I3 and I10 redevelopment zones and the Crossroads property, which is currently in litigation. The board heard that developers who previously expressed interest withdrew because of limited electrical capacity and water service for large facilities.

"This is our zoning. Now we have an ordinance. If you want something, it's not happening. Go find somewhere else to go do it," a board member said during discussion, stressing the board’s intent to reaffirm the township’s land-use policy.

Planner Vena told the board that two redevelopment sites approved by the board were for warehouses rather than data centers, and that Crossroads — where data centers were added to the plan in 2008 — remains the subject of ongoing litigation. She and other members emphasized that the master plan has not promoted data-center development in Old Bridge.

After discussion the board moved, seconded and voted in favor of the consistency finding; members present recorded affirmative votes and the motion carried.

The action is a planning-board consistency review of a council ordinance; it does not itself change zoning maps or authorize development. If the council adopts an ordinance, any affected properties or proposals would remain subject to subsequent permit, utility and site-capacity reviews.