Millville to consider ordinance limiting large data centers; commissioners pledge clearer sign rules

Mayor Dixon told the commission the city is "currently exploring a data prohibition data center prohibition ordinance," which is with legal counsel for review and definition work, and will be circulated to commissioners before any public hearings.

The issue surfaced during the public-comment period when local resident Mister Soloff urged the board to revisit the lawn-sign ordinances and to clarify what the city means by a "data center." "Are the rules written in a way that candidates and civic organizations are likely to see as reasonable and easy to follow?" Soloff asked, arguing that enforcement last year appeared inconsistent and that permit fees could be burdensome.

Soloff also framed the data-center debate around scale and definition, saying the public’s concern centers on very large industrial projects while smaller, well-run facilities that create jobs and generate tax ratables could be acceptable. "Would Millville truly have no appetite for that?" he asked.

Mayor Dixon and other commissioners acknowledged the concerns and said the draft ordinance will explicitly define what the city intends to prohibit. "We're as we all know, things work slowly," Dixon said, adding the ordinance will be reviewed by planning and zoning counsel before returning to the full commission for consideration and, if it proceeds, two readings and a public hearing.

Commissioners also agreed with a suggestion to have the municipal administrator and department heads present in future work sessions to brief commissioners on items in greater detail so elected officials can ask substantive questions before floor votes.

No formal vote on the data-center ordinance or on changes to the sign code occurred at the work session; commissioners said they expect the attorney-reviewed draft to appear on a future meeting agenda for formal consideration.