Planning board meeting over Vineland data center goes late into night Monday
The Vineland Planning Board held a meeting on a proposed data center by Data One, which extended late into the night due to extensive public opposition. Opponents, citing environmental and noise concerns, presented a petition with 3,100 signatures urging the board to reject Phase Two of the project. The board was expected to vote on the proposal following public comments.
The Vineland Planning Board convened a special meeting to consider a proposal for a massive data center development by Data One. The meeting, a continuation from an earlier session, stretched late into the night as numerous residents delivered public comments.
The project, which requires board approval, faced significant opposition from the community. Speakers urged the board to vote against Phase Two of Data One's plan, a nearly 600,000 square foot facility, arguing there was insufficient information available. Phase One of the total 2.6 million square foot project is already under construction.
Opponents voiced concerns about potential environmental and health impacts, as well as humming noise emanating from the site, despite Data One's assurance of compliance with noise ordinances. One resident presented a petition bearing 3,100 signatures, imploring the board to reject Phase Two for the sake of future generations. Expert witnesses also testified, with one civil engineer speaking on behalf of the project's opponents. A representative for Data One indicated that if approved, Phase Two could be built by next year.
NBC10's Johnny Archer reported live from the meeting, noting that despite the lengthy public testimony, the board was still expected to make a vote on the project that evening.