Some Union County Towns are Banning Data Centers

Rahway introduced an ordinance that would prohibit data centers as a land use in residential, commercial, industrial, mixed use, and overlay zones, among other zones. Union County Life is summarizing report, published Oct. 17. The ordinance was introduced at the Oct. 5 council meeting and has not yet been adopted.

Mayor Raymond Giacobbe said at the Oct. 5 meeting that adopting such a local law would be planning thoughtfully and responsibly for the city’s future. “We are taking action after educating ourselves and getting a better understanding of the significant impact data centers can have on local communities,” Giacobbe said. “We believe it is the right thing to do for Rahway.”

Clark has already acted. The Clark ordinance removes data centers as a permitted use on the township’s zoning maps. Clark Mayor Angel Albanese explained at the Aug. 17 council meeting that the Clark Planning Board found the ordinance consistent with the township’s master plan. The ordinance states that data centers are and shall continue to be prohibited uses and structures in all Clark zoning districts. Reports that Roselle Park, Plainfield, and Union have also approved ordinances to ban data centers.

The report also notes that a data center was approved in Kenilworth on Galloping Hill Road, at the former Merck site, and that the approval has raised concern among local officials and residents. Technology companies and data center developers argue that data centers will create jobs and tax revenue for communities. Some local officials and residents say data centers are noisy and disruptive, pollute the environment with gas emissions, use too much water and energy, and can take jobs away while carrying high maintenance costs. Some are pushing for a moratorium.

Union County Manager Ed Oatman told the Board of County Commissioners in August that New Jersey practice requires municipalities to pass local laws town by town rather than having one law govern several towns or a region. “The county cannot pass a moratorium,” Oatman said.

Find more Rahway and Union County government and local news at unioncountylife.com.

FAQ

Has Rahway banned data centers?
Not yet. The ordinance has been introduced, and the council has not adopted it.

What would the Rahway ordinance do?
It would prohibit data centers as a land use in residential, commercial, industrial, mixed use, and overlay zones, among other zones.

Which Union County towns have already banned data centers?
TAPinto reports that Clark, Roselle Park, Plainfield, and Union have approved ordinances to ban them.

Can the county ban data centers?
No. County Manager Ed Oatman said in August that the county cannot pass a moratorium and that New Jersey practice requires towns to act individually.