Warren adopts ordinance defining and banning data centers across the township

The Township of Warren Committee on June 18 adopted Ordinance No. 26-19, which adds a definition for "data centers," designates them as prohibited uses in all zones in the township and includes supplementary performance standards should a use variance ever be granted. The ordinance passed unanimously on a motion by Committeeman Croson, seconded by Deputy Mayor Kian.

The public hearing drew two residents who praised the Committee’s proactive stance. Tim, a resident of Springfield, said he has fought a proposed data center project in Kenilworth and thanked the Committee for taking a position; Renee, a resident of Union, commended the Committee and raised environmental and other community concerns associated with data centers. Neither speaker introduced technical data or submitted documents at the hearing.

During Committee discussion Committeeman McCarey said he supports prohibiting data centers but urged revisions to the ordinance’s wording and criteria to avoid unintended consequences. Committeeman Croson said the Township Planner and the municipal attorney recommended adding supplementary performance standards in case a use variance is later granted; those standards remain in the adopted ordinance. No amendments were offered at the public hearing.

The ordinance took effect following the Committee’s unanimous roll-call vote: McCarey — yes; Blick — yes; Croson — yes; Deputy Mayor Kian — yes; Mayor Fine — yes. The Committee scheduled no further local action on this item at the meeting; the ordinance was adopted as presented. The Clerk recorded the change to Chapter 16, "Zoning," as Ordinance No. 26-19.

Next steps noted by the Committee included staff review of the ordinance language to ensure enforcement and to confirm the supplementary standards align with municipal practice and any future variance proceedings.