Residents press Old Tappan council on Orangetown data center, downstream flooding and tree funds

Multiple residents used the Feb. 3 public comment period to press the borough to act on regional development and environmental impacts tied to projects in neighboring municipalities.

Mayor Thomas Gallagher described resident concerns about a proposed large data center in Orangetown — including potential on-site power generation and noise — and offered to attend planning-board hearings in the adjacent jurisdiction. He noted residents had retained counsel to explore legal options.

Environmental concerns were a recurring theme. Peter Arguello, chairman of the Harrington Park environmental commission, described downstream flooding problems his town has experienced since nearby developments were built and suggested municipal environmental commissions coordinate on impervious-coverage impacts. He also explained that in his town tree-replacement funds collected after development are held in a tree fund controlled by the environmental commission for planting and beautification projects.

Speakers asked whether the borough would request an updated traffic study (several participants said the previous study predates recent development and occupancy) and whether stormwater regulations would apply to new applications; borough staff and the engineer said compliance and grandfathering would depend on the timing of application and the new rules. Residents also asked whether tree-mitigation funds could be earmarked to the town's shade-tree/beautification program rather than entering a general fund.

Council and staff did not commit to a specific regulatory action at the meeting but agreed to prepare a resolution and pursue additional coordination with Orangetown planning officials and the borough attorney; council also indicated the environmental commission would be involved in studying options for use of any developer-provided funds.