NJ town says data center can't be built in redevelopment project

Manchester Township Council in Ocean County, New Jersey, recently voted unanimously to amend an ordinance that would have allowed a data center to be built in a northern redevelopment area of the town. The amendment specifically removes data centers as a potential use for the site, thereby preventing any future development of such facilities there.

The decision followed strong opposition from local residents, including Karen Argenta, a 20-year resident, who joined over 100 others to voice concerns about potential impacts on water and electricity resources, air quality, noise, and property values. Despite the developer of the largely wooded plot having no immediate plans or filed permits for a data center, the possibility remained, prompting the council's preventative action.

While the amendment is not a complete ban on all data centers within Manchester Township, organizers expressed their intent to remain vigilant, planning to review current ordinances and zoning definitions to assess any broader threats to the community. This local action mirrors similar movements across New Jersey where towns have resisted data center proposals. Furthermore, Governor Mikie Sherill has proposed state-level "guardrails" for data centers, requiring them to report energy and water use, bring new clean energy online, and pay employees fairly.