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Council introduces data‑center ban for first hearing; residents and planners urge further review
Summary
Council introduced an ordinance to prohibit data centers town‑wide and scheduled a July 21 public hearing; several residents urged the council to obtain planning‑board, planner and utility input before final action, citing uncertainties about water, power, noise and local benefits and risks.
The Township Committee introduced an ordinance (first reading) that would prohibit data centers as a permitted use in all zoning districts. The measure was set for public hearing on July 21, 2026.
The ordinance was framed as a preventative land‑use policy: proponents said the town should not decide site suitability reactively. Several residents and commenters urged the council to solicit input from the municipal planner and planning board before final action, arguing the planner’s consistency review and technical analysis (utilities, water, traffic, noise, fiscal impacts) would provide a firmer basis for policy.
What supporters and opponents said: Supporters cited potential risks — heavy electric demand, on‑site generators, water use and noise — and recommended a town‑wide ban while the broader regulatory context evolves. Opponents and other commenters said a categorical ban is premature without an actual proposal and suggested the council require developer‑funded independent technical reviews (sound, water, air, traffic, utility impact) for any proposal instead of an outright prohibition.
Process notes: The ordinance was introduced for first reading; state and municipal land‑use steps require the planning board to issue a consistency review before final adoption. Council members asked that the planner and planning board review the draft before final action and noted that public outreach and technical analysis would be needed for an informed vote.
