A proposed ordinance would prevent data centers from being approved under eacilities.
BRICK TOWNSHIP, NJ — Brick Township officials are moving to restrict the development of data centers before any projects are proposed in the community.
The Township Council is scheduled to consider an ordinance Sept. 8 that would formally define data centers and establish that they are not covered by existing permitted uses unless expressly authorized.
No applications to build a data center have been submitted to the township.
“I have heard from many residents who are concerned about the possibility of having a data center in Brick Township, and I share many of those same concerns,” Mayor Lisa Crate said. “This ordinance will eliminate any ambiguity and ensure that data centers cannot simply be classified under another existing use.”
Under the proposal, a data center would be defined as a building, facility or campus primarily used to house, operate, process, manage or transmit digital data and electronic information.
The definition would cover facilities supporting computer servers, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, cryptocurrency mining and similar technology, along with related equipment.
Data centers could not be classified as warehouses, distribution facilities, offices, light industrial uses, utilities or telecommunications facilities unless the township expressly identifies them as such.
“Data centers have had profound impacts on some communities where they have been built,” Council President Steve Feinman said. “There are concerns about enormous energy and water usage, environmental impacts and constant noise. We want to protect Brick’s residents and families by acting now before it becomes a larger issue.”
If approved, the ordinance would take effect 20 days after its publication.
