Loading map…
Regbase

The Data Center Divide

Andover Township

Strongly Anti-Data Center Policies

Andover Township has enacted an ordinance prohibiting data centers in every zone and repealing earlier rules that allowed them in one zone.

current law · Andover Township
Would amend Andover Township’s zoning code to prohibit data centers in every zoning district, covering facilities used to store, manage, or process digital data and associated infrastructure such as substations, generators, environmental controls, and security systems (Ordinance 2026-13).Andover Township Ordinance 2026-13

What this means

If enacted, the ordinance would make data centers a prohibited use in every zone, blocking new data center development in Andover Township. It would also repeal the earlier rules that allowed data centers in one zone.

People behind it

  • Introduced the ordinance and passed it at first reading.

  • Municipal Clerk who issued the notice of pending ordinance.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1

  • Would prohibit data centers in every zone in Andover Township. The definition covers facilities primarily used to store, manage, or process digital or electronic data and lists associated infrastructure such as servers, substations, generators, and security systems; the measure states the ban would take effect after final passage, approval, and publication. “Data Centers as a prohibited use in all zones”

Sources

repealed · Township of Andover
Increased the maximum permitted height for data centers in the Route 206 Economic Development Zone to two stories or 65 feet when adopted on April 16, 2026 (Ordinance 2026-08).Andover Township Ordinance 2026-08

What this means

The measure would prohibit data centers in all zones in Andover Township and repeal the earlier rules that allowed them in the Route 206 Economic Development Zone. That amounts to an outright ban on building data centers within the township.

People behind it

  • Governing body that introduced and adopted Ordinance 2026-13.

  • Municipal Clerk and Administrator who signed the ordinance's public notice.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements4

  • Data centers are designated as a prohibited use in all zoning districts throughout Andover Township, preventing their construction, expansion, or operation as a permitted land use.

  • The ordinance repeals Ordinance 2025-15, which had permitted data centers as a principal use in the Route 206 Economic Development Zone, and Ordinance 2026-08, which had allowed data centers up to two stories or 65 feet high.

  • The prohibition applies broadly to facilities primarily used for storing, managing, or processing digital or electronic data, including associated servers, network equipment, telecommunications systems, environmental controls, generators, transformers, electrical substations, and security facilities.

  • The prohibition takes effect immediately upon final passage, approval, and publication as required by law.

Sources

repealed · Township of Andover
Expands the Route 206 Economic Development Zone’s permitted principal uses to include data centers, defined as facilities housing computer systems and networked servers, and allows electrical substations as an accessory use to data centers.Andover Township Ordinance 2025-15

What this means

If enacted, the ordinance would make data centers a prohibited use throughout Andover and repeal the prior rule allowing them in the Route 206 ECD Zone. This is an outright ban within the township, so the score is -5.

People behind it

  • Proposed, introduced, and adopted the ordinance repealing Ordinances 2025-15 and 2026-08 and prohibiting data centers.

  • Administrator/Municipal Clerk who issued and signed the public notice of the pending ordinance.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1

  • Data centers are prohibited in every zoning district throughout Andover Township, eliminating their prior status as a permitted principal use in the Route 206 Economic Development Zone and removing the related allowance for electrical substations as an accessory use.

Sources

failed · Township of Andover
Would have amended the Route 206 Redevelopment Plan and related zoning provisions to establish additional standards for data centers in the Route 206 Economic Development Zone; the Township Committee introduced it on May 7, 2026, by a 4–1 vote.Andover Township Ordinance 2026-10

What this means

If enacted, the ordinance would prohibit data centers in every zone in Andover and repeal earlier permissions for them, including the height allowance. That amounts to an outright ban on building data centers within the township. prohibited use in all zones

People behind it

  • Introduced and adopted Ordinance 2026-13, repealed the prior data-center ordinances, and amended the zoning code to prohibit data centers township-wide.

  • Municipal Clerk who issued the public notice of the pending ordinance and was designated to attest to the ordinance.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements2

  • Data centers are designated as a prohibited use in all zoning districts throughout Andover Township, with no stated exceptions.

  • Ordinances 2025-15 and 2026-08 are repealed, eliminating the prior authorization for data centers as a principal permitted use in the Route 206 Economic Development Zone and the prior two-story/65-foot maximum-height standard.

Sources

Data provided by Regbase · Cookie preferences · Report missing data