Millburn's Township Committee will formally introduce an ordinance banning data centers in all zoning districts when it meets Tuesday, Sept. 1.
Ordinance 2770-26 would amend the township's development regulations to define data centers and prohibit them township-wide. The meeting agenda sets a public hearing for Tuesday, Oct. 6.
The Committee first discussed the proposal at its June 18 meeting but tabled it for further review and public input. Members agreed the ordinance should distinguish standalone data center facilities from incidental technology like a law firm's server room.
"Any ordinance should be based on community input and clear local needs rather than following trends in other municipalities," Mayor Frank Saccomandi said at the June 18 meeting, when the Committee first weighed the proposal.
Township Planner Graham Petto noted at that same meeting that several municipalities were reviewing similar measures and raised concerns about ensuring existing lawful uses were not unintentionally affected. Committeeman Michael Cohen said an explicit prohibition would create a clearer ordinance while still allowing normal business server rooms.
Downtown redevelopment plan up for adoption
The Committee is also scheduled to adopt Ordinance 2763-26, the Spring Street and Essex Street Redevelopment Plan, on second reading. The plan covers Block 1212 (Lots 4, 22, 24, 25, 26 and 27) and Block 1207, Lot 7, at the intersection of Essex Street, Spring Street and Millburn Avenue.
The plan is the legal framework for a proposed 93-unit mixed-income development: 75 deed-restricted affordable rental units and 18 market-rate units, with ground-floor retail, on-site parking and additional parking across Essex Street. TAPinto reported the project stems from a settlement with RPM Development Group and the Fair Share Housing Center that replaces a prior 2021 plan to build affordable housing on the contaminated DPW site at 9 Main St. Township officials said the new plan eliminates an estimated $11 million taxpayer-funded cost that would have been required to relocate the DPW facility.
Short Hills train station presentation
The Sept. 1 agenda includes a presentation on eastbound improvements at the Short Hills Train Station. NJ Transit owns the station platform. The township received a $479,000 grant for station improvements, according to March 17 meeting minutes. Committeeman Jamie Serruto said at the April 21 meeting that the township would try to start the project before the end of 2026.
As we reported Aug. 28, the township recently installed an all-way stop near the station.
Other business
Three additional ordinances are scheduled for introduction Sept. 1: Ord. 2767-26, governing off-duty employment of police officers; Ord. 2768-26, setting standards for accessory structures and mechanical equipment in multifamily, nonresidential and mixed-use developments; and Ord. 2769-26, addressing restaurant uses and pet care in the B-3 district.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Millburn Education Center, 434 Millburn Ave. It will be livestreamed on YouTube and available via Zoom. The next Township Committee meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 7 p.m.
