Data Center Debate Rages In Nutley; Ex-Hoffman LaRoche Property Is The Battleground
A debate is ongoing in Nutley, NJ, regarding the potential construction of an AI data center at the former Hoffman LaRoche property, now known as the ON3 site. While a settlement agreement allows for such development, no formal application has been submitted to the planning board. Residents and officials are discussing the project's implications, particularly concerning environmental impacts and utility consumption.
The Township of Nutley, New Jersey, is currently a focal point for a heated debate surrounding the potential construction of an artificial intelligence data center at the ON3 site, previously the Hoffman LaRoche campus at 275 Kingsland Street. Although no official application has been submitted for planning board approval, township officials confirm that a recent settlement agreement with property owner Prism allows for the future development of a data center on the site. This agreement, stemming from years of litigation between Prism, Nutley, and Clifton over the redevelopment of the former pharmaceutical campus, permits various uses for the property, including a data center.
Residents' questions intensified after Prism erected a sign advertising the site's availability for a data center. The Township of Nutley Board of Commissioners released a "frequently asked questions" document to address public concerns. Any future data center proposal would necessitate a review by the local planning board under New Jersey’s Municipal Land Use Law, allowing for public participation in hearings.
The discussion in Nutley mirrors a broader trend in New Jersey, where dozens of municipalities have enacted data center bans due to concerns over high power and water consumption, which critics argue could strain utilities and increase resident bills. While proponents emphasize the importance of data centers for the state's AI industry competitiveness, the potential environmental and social impacts remain a central point of contention in Nutley.