Manchester, NJ Residents Oppose Potential Data Center Development
Hundreds of Manchester, NJ residents packed a Township Council meeting to vocally oppose a potential data center development in a redevelopment area. While no specific project has been proposed, residents raised concerns about environmental impacts, water usage, noise, and quality of life, urging the council to ban data centers. Officials acknowledged the public's concerns and are considering a special meeting for further discussion.
At a Manchester Township Council meeting, hundreds of residents expressed strong opposition to the potential development of a data center within a designated redevelopment area. Despite Council President Michele Zolezi stating that no specific project has been formally proposed by the redeveloper, who currently has approval for a warehouse complex, the public gathered en masse, holding protest signs and speaking passionately against the idea.
Key concerns raised by residents and speakers, including Britta Forsberg, executive director of Save Barnegat Bay, centered on significant environmental impacts, excessive water usage in an area already facing water issues, potential noise pollution affecting nearby communities like the Ocean County Animal Facility, and the general disruption to a quiet retirement community. Some residents also voiced broader critiques of artificial intelligence, which data centers primarily support.
Residents, citing examples from nearby Howell and Jackson, urged the council to proactively craft an ordinance to ban data centers or repeal Ordinance 25-27, which was adopted last year to authorize data centers as a permitted use in the redevelopment area. Officials indicated they would take these suggestions under advisement and agreed to explore organizing a special public meeting in a larger venue to accommodate the widespread community interest. The meeting also saw criticism directed at Mayor Joseph Hankins for his absence and a brief, unrecorded discussion among council members after the public comment section.