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Green Township Committee carries proposed ban on data centers for further review
Summary
The Committee carried Public Hearing Ordinance 2026-04, which would prohibit data centers in all zoning districts, to the next meeting because Land Use Board feedback has not yet been received; the ordinance text cites water, energy and community-character concerns.
The Green Township Committee on April 20 carried to its next meeting a proposed ordinance that would make data centers a prohibited use in all zoning districts.
Public Hearing Ordinance 2026-04, introduced earlier, was moved by Committee Member Margaret “Peg” Phillips and carried for further consideration because the Township has not yet received advisory comments from the Green Township Land Use Board. Mayor Virginia “Ginnie” Raffay opened the hearing but no public comments were offered on the ordinance at the April 20 meeting.
The ordinance’s text, included in the meeting packet, defines “data center” broadly to cover facilities that store, manage or process electronic data and lists typical accessories such as transformers, substations, cooling and fire-suppression systems. The preamble in the ordinance cites the Township Master Plan’s emphasis on preserving rural character, and raises concerns about electricity and water demand, tree removal, noise and impacts to groundwater and community resources. The draft ordinance directs the Clerk to refer the text to the County Planning Board and the Township Land Use Board for the statutorily required reviews (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-15; 40:55D-26; 40:55D-64).
Committee members did not hold substantive debate on the ordinance on April 20; the motion to carry is procedural and preserves the Committee’s ability to consider Land Use Board feedback before any adoption vote. The Committee’s next scheduled meeting is May 4, 2026, where the item may be heard again for comment or action if the required advisory reports have been received.
What happens next: Under the ordinance’s referral instructions, the Land Use Board has 35 days to report any inconsistencies with the Township Master Plan; the Clerk must also circulate notice of the hearing to neighboring municipal clerks and the Sussex County Planning Board prior to final adoption.
