Old Tappan council adopts resolution opposing DataBank Orangeburg Phase 2 expansion

The Borough of Old Tappan Mayor and Council on second motion adopted a resolution formally opposing the DataBank Orangeburg Phase 2 data-center application in Orangetown, New York.

Mayor Thomas Gallagher and Council President Boyce presented a draft resolution that details local concerns about cross-border impacts, energy demand, and environmental risk. The resolution describes the proposal as a project that would add a large data center and a 70,000-square-foot outdoor electrical substation on property in Orangetown, and states the borough "strongly opposes" the application and will forward copies of the resolution to Orangetown officials, the Orangetown planning board, U.S. Representative Michael Lawler, Rockland County Executive Edwin Day, and state legislators.

The council’s "whereas" language enumerated several concerns: high electricity demand and strain on regional electrical infrastructure; possible irreversible environmental impacts to the Lake Tappan watershed; the visual and noise footprint of numerous rooftop HVAC units and standby generators; potential public-safety challenges if emergency services must respond to an incident at the site; and that data centers are not a permitted use under Orangetown’s zoning as described in the draft resolution. Council President Boyce said he and others had contacted environmental groups and water utilities while drafting the resolution.

Councilmembers moved, seconded and approved the resolution by roll call. Following the vote, residents who had attended the meeting urged continued coordination with New York authorities and regional advocates. Dave Rosen, a resident, told the council the larger regional buildout could impose substantial electrical loads and urged the borough to press New York lawmakers because Old Tappan lacks formal standing in Orangeburg proceedings.

The resolution does not directly block the project; it records the borough’s opposition and asks New York decisionmakers and regional stakeholders to consider the listed environmental, public-safety and infrastructure concerns. The council directed that copies of the adopted resolution be delivered to the Orangetown planning board, congressional and county officials and environmental groups.

Next steps noted at the meeting: outreach to regional partners and environmental commissions and continued monitoring of Orangetown planning-board proceedings. The borough’s opposition is a formal statement for use in intermunicipal and state-level advocacy.