Residents ask Long Branch officials about data centers and pool opening; council says zoning already bars data centers

Residents used the public forum June 24 to ask whether the city had considered banning or limiting data centers and to press for a status update on the community pool.

Julie Ann Berg asked whether Long Branch had discussed AI data centers and read a news account of Asbury Park's resolution urging a statewide moratorium on new data centers over concerns about electricity demand, water use for cooling, continuous noise and diesel backup-generator emissions. The council attorney and mayor responded that Long Branch's zoning currently does not permit data centers; a developer seeking to build one would need a variance. Officials also said there are no large parcels in the city suited for the kind of acreage such a facility would require.

Separately, residents Patty Perillo and Eddie Barillo asked about the community pool. Officials said a catastrophic pump failure occurred; parts were back-ordered but installation was completed the day of the meeting and testing was pending. The city hoped to open the pool the next day or by Friday at the latest; annual pass holders were told they could use the beach until the pool reopened.

Council members and staff encouraged residents concerned about data centers or other development to follow up outside the meeting for more detail and noted that local zoning controls currently limit this type of industrial development.