Bridgewater Moves To Remove Data Centers From Route 22 Development Plan

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Bridgewater's Township Council introduced an ordinance that would remove data centers from the Greymark Office Tract Redevelopment Plan for 1200 Route 22.

At the Oct. 15 meeting, the Council first considered a broader repeal of the site's redevelopment designation and plan.

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The repeal ordinance on the agenda would have undone a resolution, adopted Dec. 5, 2024, which designated the site as an area in need of redevelopment on a noncondemnation basis.

It also would have repealed Ordinance 25-05, adopted April 24, 2025, which adopted the "Graymark Office Tract Redevelopment Plan" dated March 20, 2025.

According to the ordinance text, the council stated it had "reconsidered its prior actions and decisions" and determined those actions "do not promote the safety, health and welfare of the people of the Township of Bridgewater and are not in the township's best interests."

The document also stated that "significant information regarding large data centers" had become available since April 24, 2025.

During public comment, Curtis Kraut of Adamsville Road said, "I believe that the repeal of those items, the resolution as well as the redevelopment plan are essential."

He also said, "I support and believe that it's the right move to repeal both the redevelopment plan and the area declaration and the redevelopment for that site."

Dave Classic of Woodside Lane also said he was in favor of the repeal.

Before discussion, Councilman Timothy Ring said, "It would be irresponsible of this governing body to even start discussing this without consulting with township attorneys."

The Council then went into closed session.

Upon return, Ring moved to modify the agenda, strike 11C and add 11D, an ordinance amending the Greymark Office Tract Redevelopment Plan.

Ring said the township had become familiar with the "deleterious effects posted by data centers" and cited "growing public concern about data centers and their potential environmental and socio-economic impacts."

The introduced ordinance would remove data centers as a permitted use, designate them as a specifically prohibited use, and delete references to them in the redevelopment plan.

Final action is scheduled for Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. in the courtroom. The ordinance will also be presented to the Planning Board for review and recommendation.

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