Montgomery introduces ordinance to ban data centers and detention centers after public urging

The Montgomery Township Committee introduced an amendment to the land development code that would prohibit data centers and detention centers within township boundaries and revise related definitions. The ordinance (26-17-79) passed first reading and was scheduled for public hearing and final vote on June 18, 2026.

Several members of the public urged swift adoption. Deborah Keenan thanked the committee for placing the ordinance on the agenda and suggested the language explicitly include warehouses so the zoning code cannot be used to permit large facilities that could be repurposed. Dawn Cohen told the committee she supported the ordinance and asked leaders to "move forward and eventually adopt it, for prohibiting data centers and immigration, detention or processing centers in Montgomery." Cohen said she was also urging the committee to consider warehouses in the prohibition.

Officials said the proposed ordinance and its definitions will be subject to the public hearing process; the ordinance was introduced on first reading at the meeting and a public hearing and vote were scheduled for the June 18 meeting. The committee did not adopt the ordinance at this meeting; it advanced it to the next hearing stage to allow further public comment and formal consideration.

Where residents raised concerns about water, electricity demand and other infrastructure impacts, officials said these issues will be considered through the ordinance process and any subsequent applications that come before the planning and zoning boards.