BRICK — Township officials are moving to prevent data centers from being developed in the community without specific municipal approval, citing concerns about noise, resource consumption and environmental effects.
The Township Council is scheduled to introduce an ordinance Sept. 8 that would create an official definition for data centers and make clear that they cannot qualify under other permitted land-use classifications.
Mayor Lisa Crate said the proposal was prompted by concerns raised by residents and a review of Brick’s existing zoning regulations. Township officials determined that clearer language was needed to ensure a data center could not be approved under a different category of development.
Under the proposed measure, a data center would include a building, facility, campus or portion of a property primarily used to house or operate computer servers, cloud-computing systems, artificial intelligence equipment, cryptocurrency mining technology, telecommunications infrastructure or related electronic systems.
The ordinance would also establish that data centers cannot be classified as warehouses, offices, storage facilities, utilities, telecommunications operations, research centers, manufacturing sites or other permitted uses unless they are specifically authorized.
Council President Steve Feinman said officials are concerned about the effects data centers have had in other communities, including persistent noise and substantial energy and water demands. He said the council wants to address the issue before a proposal is presented in Brick.
No applications for a data center have been filed with the township.
Crate said she supports the ordinance and intends to sign it if it receives final council approval.
The measure is scheduled for its first reading during the Sept. 8 Township Council meeting. If ultimately adopted, it would become effective 20 days after its publication.
