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Woodstown council adopts ordinance banning data centers in all zoning districts
Summary
Woodstown adopted Ordinance 2026-8 amending land-development rules to explicitly prohibit data centers in all zoning districts; council members described the ordinance as narrowly tailored and offered a copy of the specific definition on request.
Woodstown Mayor Joseph Hiles and councilors voted July 14 to adopt Ordinance 2026-8, which amends Chapter 67 of the borough code to confirm that data centers are prohibited uses or structures in all zoning districts. The council held a public hearing and, after brief public clarification, approved final adoption by unanimous roll call vote (motion by Councilman Jesse Stemberger; seconded by Councilman Glenn Merkle).
Resident Brian Pokwrzya asked whether the ordinance was "specific or general," and Mayor Hiles responded "it is specific." Borough Clerk Patricia Bohren said the measure contains "a very specific definition and a full copy could be provided upon request." The ordinance text explicitly lists data centers as prohibited and directs the zoning enforcement process accordingly. The council did not record amendments to the ordinance during the hearing.
The adoption means land-development reviews and permits in Woodstown must treat data centers as non-permitted uses under the revised Chapter 67. For residents or developers seeking the full legal definition used by the borough, the clerk's office has been offered as the point of contact.
