BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Bridgewater is moving forward with implementing new land use requirements for data centers and hyperscale data centers.
At the Aug. 20 meeting, the Bridgewater Township Council unanimously introduced the ordinance, with a public hearing and possible final action scheduled for Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. in the courtroom.
The measure amends Chapter 126 of the township code and follows the township's Sept. 30, 2025 Comprehensive Master Plan.
According to the ordinance, data centers and hyperscale data centers present "an intense and unique form of use of land use and development," with challenges tied to electricity consumption, noise, air quality, water use, community character and long-term planning objectives.
The ordinance says data centers are not specifically designated as permitted uses in any township zone district unless sought through a use variance, except for a portion of the Greymark tract at 1200 Route 22 under a redevelopment plan.
The proposal creates new definitions for data centers, hyperscale data centers, battery electric storage systems and renewable energy.
It would apply performance standards to any data center use in the township "which is not already in existence in its current condition at the time of passage of this ordinance," whether or not the use is permitted by a specific zone or redevelopment plan.
Among the requirements, applicants would need an approval letter from the serving utility confirming the energy supply will conform to recent legislation so electric public utility customers do not subsidize large data center customers.
The ordinance also would require a closed-loop cooling system, connection to public water, an on-site renewable energy source, a heat waste recovery system, pre- and post-construction sound studies, environmental and community impact analysis reports, and a decommissioning bond.
At the meeting, resident Curtis Kraut raised questions about the Greymark redevelopment plan and litigation involving 1200 Route 22.
In response to a question about repeal of the redevelopment ordinance, Township Attorney Chris Corsini said, "I don't believe there is any intention to take that action until and unless the litigation is resolved."
On possible settlement approval, Corsini said, "It would depend on the terms, but we the administration has always brought every settlement agreement that it's ever engaged into the governing body."
Ruben Torsky, the developer of a proposed data center at the former Greymark property at 1200 Route 22 told the council, "We are not opposed to reasonable regulation of data centers."
He also said, "This is not an AI data center or an AI computing facility."
Torski asked the council to table the ordinance "so there can be a proper discussion with the affected property owners and technical professionals or carve out projects governed by redevelopment plans that were adopted before this ordinance and already actively proceeding through the approval process."
Council Vice President Andrew Bucko said that the data center industry "is screaming for guard rails."
"They are showing everyone that it definitely is something that is needed, especially when it comes to how these facilities can potentially impact the neighborhoods that uh adjoin them," said Bucko.
Councilman Timothy Ring added that "There are some people out there that support a flatout ban on data centers and while it's way too early in the process to tell how it's going to turn out we're starting to actually see across the state some push back to towns that have flat out banned data centers where now they're legally being challenged for the planning analysis to support a flatout ban."
Ring was referring to a lawsuit filed by E. Kahn Development Corp. against the Township of Montgomery. The lawsuit is looking to strike down a township ordinance that prohibits data centers and detention centers within Township boundaries. Read More: Montgomery Faces Lawsuit Challenging Data Center Ban
"Don't know how it's going to pan out, but I think this presents us in a good position of balancing both sides of the issues," said Ring.
The council then voted 4-0 to introduce the ordinance.
After the roll call, the council announced that final action is scheduled for Sept. 3, 2026, and said if the land use process is not completed by then, a new hearing date will be announced.
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