Council seeks ban on data center in Hexa plan

At its March 25 meeting, the Monroe Township Council in New Jersey introduced an ordinance intended to remove the possibility of an AI data center from the Hexa Builders Redevelopment Plan on Black Horse Pike. This action follows significant public outcry from residents, and even individuals outside the township, who voiced strong opposition at a prior council meeting on March 11. Concerns primarily centered on potential negative environmental impacts and the strain on energy and water resources, which residents feared would lead to increased financial burdens. Mayor Greg Wolfe acknowledged the rapid evolution of data centers and the public's widespread opposition, stating he had engaged in extensive discussions with experts, attorneys, and the community to understand their concerns. He announced the township's decision to repeal data center use from the Hexa redevelopment plan, confirming the council's commitment to banning data centers entirely within Monroe Township, provided it can be done lawfully. While the ordinance, if passed at the upcoming April 8 meeting, would prevent a data center, Hexa Builders could still develop the 1.6 million square feet for warehousing, storage, distribution, and office facilities. The proposed ordinance to ban AI data centers across Monroe Township was introduced by all council members except John Valentine, who voted against it due to concerns that it doesn't enact a complete ban on data centers in Williamstown (part of Monroe) and that the public notification process was insufficient.