Data Center Ordinance Backed By Bridgewater Township Planning Board

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — The Bridgewater Township Planning Board is backing a land-use ordinance addressing data centers.

On Tuesday, Bridgewater's Planning Board voted after a master plan consistency review to find Ordinance 26-15 not inconsistent with the township's master plan and to send that finding back to the Township Council.

The ordinance, introduced at the Aug. 20 council meeting, would amend Chapter 126, land use, to add supplemental regulations for data centers and hyperscale data centers.

During the review, township planner Katherine Sarmad told the board the measure creates new standards specifically for data centers.

She said the board's role is to determine whether a land use ordinance sent by the council is inconsistent with the master plan and to make recommendations before adoption.

Sarmad said she reviewed the township's comprehensive master plan adopted in September last year and the re-examination report adopted in December.

She said the land use policies and vision statements call for a balanced land use pattern, support for residential neighborhoods, stronger commercial districts, preservation of industrial areas, increased parks and development that does not place undue demand on infrastructure and local roads.

She also said the plan prioritizes preserving Bridgewater's character and quality of life while updating regulations as land use conditions change.

The ordinance would add standards for a use the state recognizes as intense, even though data centers are not currently permitted in any regular township zone and are allowed only under a redevelopment plan.

She said the standards would apply if an application comes before the Board of Adjustment or if an application under the redevelopment plan comes before the Planning Board.

Board member Niren Choudhury touched on what the ordinance would require from applicants as far as what percentage of the power should be renewable energy.

"Data centers will be a big power hogger. It's basically increasing like almost 10 times, 20 times basis," said Choudhury.

In response, Sarmad said there is a requirement that the applicant "demonstrate that they can provide a renewable energy source on site that offsets their power demand or reliance upon the grid - which is also in line with the requirements now that the state has put together."

However, "There's no percentage that's prescribed for data centers in our ordinance, but there is a requirement that they demonstrate that they do it in some capacity," referring to renewable energy sources, said Sarmad.

Board member Ashley Sikora asked about cooling systems and water use.

"I know that we talked about a closed loop system, but that could mean many different things when it comes to water usage. Have we thought about putting more provisions in there or more guidelines in the ordinance about what that means?" said Sikora. "Because it says any system designed for cooling and operation of the facility will be adequate and will not negatively impact the surrounding region. But 'negatively impact' leaves it pretty broad."

Sarmad noted that "this is an evolving issue, and how we've addressed or the ordinance attempts to address, each of the major impact issues is to try and take the best practice at applying it to a land use regulation."

She added that applicants would have to provide information and supporting reports, and the board would determine whether a proposal meets the ordinance's intent.

After public comment brought no questions, the board approved a motion finding the ordinance not inconsistent with the master plan and directed that its findings be transmitted to the council.

The public hearing and second reading of the ordinance will be heard on Thursday at the Council meeting. To see the ordinance, click here.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. and be held in the Municipal Courtroom at 100 Commons Way.

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