After public pressure, Andover Township makes decision on data centers

The Andover Township Committee in Sussex County, New Jersey, is withdrawing its interest in attracting a large data center, reversing a previous zoning amendment that allowed such facilities in the Route 206 economic development zone. This decision comes after intense public pressure, including weeks of confrontations with residents and environmental groups, and a physical altercation between police and a member of the public, Shane Connolly, at a May 7 meeting. Mayor Tom Walsh announced the committee's change of heart in a video statement on May 9, directing the township attorney to draft an ordinance that would repeal data centers as a permitted use. The initial zoning amendment, approved in September 2025 (likely a typo, should be 2024 or earlier given the context of May 2024 article date), and a subsequent ordinance increasing building height to 65 feet specifically for data centers, had fueled public speculation, though no formal application for a data center project had been filed. Walsh indicated the committee had explored the data center concept primarily for tax revenue and property revitalization but now prioritizes community unity over potential financial gains. Deputy Mayor Krista Gilchrist defended the local police following the widely shared video of Connolly's removal and criticized external advocacy groups for spreading what she called 'misinformation' and agitating for their own political interests. The Sussex Visibility Brigade, an opposition group, hailed the committee's decision as a victory but also called for greater accountability and transparency from Andover's elected officials.