Sayreville advances 18-month data center moratorium
The Sayreville Borough Council introduced an ordinance for an 18-month moratorium on data center development to allow time for study and consultation. An amendment to permanently ban data centers in the borough failed, and a public hearing on the temporary ban is set for July 20.
The Sayreville Borough Council in New Jersey has moved to introduce an ordinance establishing an 18-month moratorium on data center development throughout the borough. The measure, approved on June 15 by council members including John Zebrowski, Michael Colaci, Mary Novak, Alberto Rios, and Stanley Synarski, aims to allow officials time to study the appropriateness of data centers, which are currently either prohibited or a conditional use in various zones.
Council President John Zebrowski, who proposed the ordinance, stated that the temporary ban is intended to facilitate consultation with professionals and determine the best approach for the borough, dismissing the notion that the move is in response to a specific pending project. An amendment proposed by Councilman Herve Blemur to permanently prohibit data centers in all borough zones failed to pass, with Republican Mayor Kennedy O
Brien casting the tie-breaking "no" vote. Zebrowski cautioned that a permanent ban without due study could expose the borough to a lawsuit. A public hearing on the 18-month moratorium ordinance is scheduled for the council
's July 20 meeting.