Cranford Mayor Addresses Misinformation Around Kenilworth AI Data Center Plans

CRANFORD, NJ — Cranford officials and residents again discussed a proposed artificial intelligence data center in nearby Kenilworth during a recent Township Committee meeting, continuing a conversation that has stretched across several sessions as questions remain about communication and regional impacts tied to the project.

The Kenilworth development, a roughly $250 million AI data center project approved by that borough’s Planning Board in 2025, is being developed by CoreWeave Onyx. The project’s size and proximity to Cranford have drawn attention locally, particularly as residents and officials examine environmental, infrastructure, and planning concerns connected to large-scale data facilities.

In response, Cranford officials previously moved forward with an ordinance that would prohibit data centers within township limits, following public comment at earlier meetings about how nearby developments are shared with surrounding communities.

Mayor Kathleen Miller Prunty addressed what she described as ongoing misinformation about Cranford’s involvement in the Kenilworth approval process and how municipal notification typically works.

“I repeat, Cranford was not informed about this data center,” Prunty said. “Opinions are important, especially on serious matters such as this, but facts are also important.”

She explained that planning board applications are not automatically circulated to neighboring municipalities unless they fall within specific notification boundaries.

Residents also continued to question whether current notification systems are adequate when projects approved in one town could have broader regional effects.

Rebecca Davis said residents are still trying to understand the full scope of the Kenilworth proposal as additional details about the site continue to surface.

“There’s one data center that’s been approved for Kenilworth,” Davis said, “but the land has been divided into multiple parcels, and additional facilities and infrastructure are being proposed on those sites that have not yet been approved.”

Commissioner Terrance Curren said the discussion reflects a broader issue municipalities across New Jersey are beginning to confront as data center development expands.

“AI data centers are something that we’re going to have to deal with,” Curren said. “There are concerns around electricity usage, environmental impact, and noise that communities are going to have to work through.”

He also noted that Kenilworth followed required public notice procedures during its approval process, even as awareness in nearby towns appeared limited at the time.

Township officials said input from residents is being compiled and reviewed as part of ongoing communication with Kenilworth representatives as the discussion continues.

The Township Committee is expected to take a final vote on the data center ordinance at its next meeting.