Data-center siting

Data centers have come up in public comment at two Township Committee meetings. The Committee has not introduced an ordinance or adopted a resolution on them.

July 27, 2026. At the July 27 Committee meeting, Jay Tilek of Horizon Way, a 13-year resident who said he is a candidate for a Township Committee seat, asked the Committee to consider an ordinance prohibiting the development of data centers, so that the Township would act before an application is submitted. He said large-scale data centers consume a significant amount of electricity and other local resources, and that some neighboring towns have adopted ordinances restricting or prohibiting them. The minutes record these responses:

• Mayor James Schworn said Verizon has a presence in the Township, which could make an outright ban difficult because smaller data-related facilities already exist. He said the Township had begun evaluating the potential impact of large-scale data centers and shares concerns about added strain on local resources.
• Mr. Thomas Young said the Township will review measures other towns have adopted, but cautioned against unintended consequences from overly constricted regulations, and said the Township must also preserve appropriate and legitimate uses that support existing and future businesses.

September 14, 2026. At the September 14 Committee meeting, Mike Dolan, a longtime resident, said the September edition of the Branchburg News gave him the impression there had been public comment favoring an outright prohibition. He encouraged the Township to evaluate whether data centers are an appropriate use and to weigh their benefits and drawbacks before adopting any ban. The minutes record these responses:

• Mr. Young said residents should review the Governor’s recent position on data centers, which he described as reasonable and balanced. He said the Township should not discourage data centers that serve legitimate business purposes, and stressed a thoughtful approach that supports economic development while addressing community concerns.
• Mayor Schworn said the New Jersey Legislature had recently passed data-center legislation that is “quite robust,” that the data centers now operating in the Township provide positive ratables, and that he does not anticipate more data centers locating in Branchburg in the near term.
• Mr. David Owens said the governing body remains committed to protecting residents’ interests while fostering an environment that lets businesses remain, expand and contribute to the community.

Where it stands. No data-center ordinance, zoning amendment or resolution appears in the Committee’s minutes through October 12, 2026 or on its October 26 agenda, and no data-center application appears in the Planning Board or Board of Adjustment records through October 2026. Any zoning change would need an ordinance introduced and then heard at a public hearing before adoption.

What residents can do. Speak in public comment at a Township Committee meeting (second and fourth Mondays at 7:00 p.m.), and watch Committee and Planning Board agendas on the Township’s Agendas/Minutes page for any data-center item. Corrections to this page can be emailed to info@localwhy.org.