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Council discusses data-center zoning limits and outlines Linden community engagement plan
Summary
Staff and council discussed whether to add data centers to the zoning ordinance — noting lot-size and zoning constraints make hyperscale campuses unlikely — and described a multi-pronged Linden outreach plan of surveys, focus groups and public sessions expected to start in September.
Council and staff discussed adding data-center language to the borough zoning ordinance to clarify whether those facilities are permitted or need special review. Staff noted small telco-style data centers can occupy as little as 0.25 acres, while hyperscale campuses require many acres and are unlikely in a one-square-mile borough. "Some of the smallest ones are 0.25 an acre...and it would also have to be zoned commercial or industrial," a staff member said, explaining the zoning limitations.
On the Linden project, staff said the engagement process will include surveys, focus groups, interviews and one or two public sessions; there is no published schedule yet but staff expects activity in September and said a steering committee meeting is scheduled the coming Monday. Council recommended adding data centers to the zoning code as a clarity measure and to ensure appropriate review if a proposal were to arise.
