Clark Planning Board adopts amendment to bar data centers, forwards zoning change to council

The Clark Planning Board voted to adopt an amendment to its master plan that adds section 4.18 and provides a written rationale for prohibiting data centers in the township. Gabe Baylor, a licensed professional planner who filled in for Paul Rickey, presented the amendment at the board’s Aug. 6 meeting and said it was needed so the master plan will be consistent with a forthcoming zoning ordinance change.

"4.18 is a written description overview of why data centers should not be permitted in the township," Baylor said, adding that "it's not compatible with the residential characteristics, the development pattern of the township, the infrastructure capacity, and the planning objectives." The board closed the public hearing with no members of the public speaking and approved the amended master plan reexamination report in a roll-call vote recorded as seven affirmative votes.

After approving the master plan amendment, the board approved a resolution finding that ordinance 26-23 — which removes data centers as a permitted use from certain districts and prohibits them in all districts — is consistent with the newly amended master plan. Counsel explained that the board’s consistency finding allows the board to recommend adoption of the ordinance to the township council. The resolution passed on a roll call with recorded affirmative votes.