Rahway Council Moves to Ban Data Centers; Hearing Set for Nov. 9

According to the City of Rahway's ordinance and meeting agenda.

Rahway is moving to keep data centers out of every part of the city. A proposed ordinance would ban them as a land use in all zoning districts, and residents can be heard at a public hearing next month.

According to the city's recording of its regular meeting on Monday, October 5, the Rahway Municipal Council approved Ordinance O-31-26 on first reading. The same recording says the public hearing and final vote are set for Monday, November 9, at 7 p.m. Union County Life reviewed the ordinance text and agenda.

The measure comes from the Municipal Council. It is titled the Data Center Prohibition Ordinance of the City of Rahway and would add Chapter 259 to the city's land use code. Ordinances on short term rentals and massage establishments were on the same first reading agenda that night.

The ordinance defines a data center as any building, or part of one, used mainly to house servers, data storage, networking or similar equipment. Computer equipment that only supports a business's own operations on the same property, and is not the main use there, would not count.

In its findings, the council says data centers put heavy demands on the power grid, use large amounts of water and energy for cooling, and create few jobs for the space they take up. It also cites construction truck traffic, fire and noise risks, and buildings that do not fit the city's Master Plan.

If adopted, no permit or approval could be issued to build, run, expand or change a data center, and no existing building could be converted into one. Violators would get a written notice and five days to comply. After a conviction, the fine would be at least $10,000 per offense, with each day counted as a separate offense.

The hearing will take place at City Hall, 1 City Hall Plaza, Rahway. The city record does not name the meeting room, list any cost, or explain how to sign up to speak. The ban would apply to property in every zoning district in the city.

Written minutes of the October 5 meeting have not been posted. Residents with questions can call the City of Rahway at 732-827-2000. The record lists no public email or office hours.

If the council adopts the ordinance on November 9, data centers would be barred citywide.

When: Monday, November 9, 7 p.m., per the city's meeting recording (public hearing and final vote)

Where: City Hall, 1 City Hall Plaza, Rahway, NJ 07065

Contact: City of Rahway, 732-827-2000

Find more Rahway events, businesses, and local news on Union County Life.

Source: City of Rahway, Ordinance O-31-26

Photo: Brett Sayles / Pexels