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The Data Center Divide

Old Bridge Township

Anti-Data Center Policies

Old Bridge Township’s enacted redevelopment plans allow data centers in certain areas, while the descriptions also mention a proposed townshipwide prohibition; applicants could still seek a use variance, so the proposed restriction would not be absolute.

current law · Old Bridge Township
Initially adopted in August 2021, the plan permits data centers in certain portions of the designated redevelopment area, but not throughout it.Redevelopment Plan for the Intersection of Jake Brown Road and Highway 9 and the Intersection of White Oak Lane and Jake Brown Road (August 2021)

What this means

The proposed ordinance would make data centers explicitly prohibited in the township’s zoning districts, adding a hurdle where certain redevelopment plans currently allow them. But it would not be an outright ban: applicants could still seek a use variance, and the source says proposals in ordinary zoning districts already need one (use variance).

People behind it

  • A majority moved to have the Township draft an ordinance prohibiting data centers as a permitted use in Old Bridge Township.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1

  • The proposed ordinance would classify data centers as a nonpermitted use in all Old Bridge zoning districts, so they could not be built as-of-right and would require a use-variance application and approval. The measure does not eliminate the ability to seek a variance under state law; the Mayor states that any proposal would already require a use variance.

Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions4

  • The Crossroads Redevelopment Plan and the Jake Brown Road, U.S. Highway 9, and White Oak Lane Redevelopment Plan permit data centers in certain areas of those designated redevelopment areas, although not everywhere within them.

  • A data-center proposal may seek a use variance from the Zoning Board of Adjustment because the Municipal Land Use Law allows applicants to request a variance for uses that are not otherwise permitted. The proposed ordinance would not eliminate that pathway.

  • A redevelopment designation can authorize adoption of a redevelopment plan specifying permitted uses and development intensity, potentially creating a zoning framework for data centers in the designated area.

  • Redevelopment powers may include issuing bonds, acquiring property, leasing or conveying property without public bidding, collecting revenue from a selected developer, and granting tax exemptions or abatements, subject to the statutory redevelopment process.

Sources

current law · Old Bridge Township
MyCentralJersey reports that Old Bridge Council on July 21, 2026 voted to permanently prohibit the facilities in all zoning districts, including current and future redevelopment or rehabilitation zones.Old Bridge Township Ordinance prohibiting data centers in all zoning districts (2026)

People behind it

  • Mayor; issued official proposal statement.

  • Councilman; reportedly cast the lone vote against the ordinance.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements2

  • Reported definition covers storage, management and processing of digital or electronic data; exact final wording unverified.

  • Prohibits data centers as a permitted use in every zone throughout the township, including current and future redevelopment or rehabilitation zones.

Sources

current law · Old Bridge Township
Adopted in May 2004, the Crossroads Redevelopment Plan governs the 53.26-acre Golf Center property and permits commercial development, including shopping centers with retail uses.Crossroads Redevelopment Plan (May 2004)

What this means

The proposed ordinance would prohibit data centers across the township, including areas where redevelopment plans currently allow them, making new projects harder to approve. Developers could still seek a use variance, so it would not be an absolute ban.

People behind it

  • A majority moved to have the Township draft the ordinance prohibiting data centers as a permitted use.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements2

  • The proposed ordinance would classify defined data centers as a nonpermitted use in every Old Bridge Township zoning district.

  • Under Land Development Ordinance §250-39, any use not specifically listed as permitted, accessory, or conditional is prohibited, and doubts must be resolved against permission. Because data centers are not listed as permitted uses in the zoning districts, a proposed data center would generally require a use variance from the Zoning Board of Adjustment. The Crossroads and Jake Brown Road redevelopment plans are exceptions because they permit data centers in certain designated areas.

Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions2

  • The Crossroads Redevelopment Plan permits data centers as permitted uses in certain, but not all, portions of the designated redevelopment area. permits data centers as permitted uses in certain areas

  • The Jake Brown Road, Highway 9, and White Oak Lane Redevelopment Plan permits data centers as permitted uses on certain properties within the redevelopment area. The approved development for those properties did not include data centers. data centers were permitted

Sources

current law · Old Bridge Township
Establishes the Township’s enacted land-development framework, covering zoning, development applications, subdivision and site-plan review, design standards, affordable housing, infrastructure, fees, enforcement, and related procedures through Chapter 250, Land Development.Chapter 250 Land Development, Old Bridge Township Code (2026 amendment)

People behind it

  • Introduced and adopted Chapter 250 by Ordinance No. 23-92 on July 20, 1992.

Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements10

  • Development requiring a site plan cannot proceed without site plan approval. (§ 250-83: site plan approval required)

  • A subdivision requires subdivision approval, creating an additional approval requirement when a data-center project involves subdividing land. (§ 250-84: subdivision approval required)

  • Development requires a zoning permit and must comply with the general conditions attached to approvals. (§ 250-85: zoning permit required)

  • A certificate of occupancy is required before a development may be used or occupied, and conditional or temporary certificates are governed by separate requirements. (§§ 250-86 through 250-88: certificate of occupancy required)

  • Land-disturbing activity is separately regulated, creating an additional compliance requirement for construction or expansion. (§ 250-91: land disturbance)

  • A proposed data center must comply with zone-based use controls, including permitted-use, conditional-use, and prohibited-use provisions. (§§ 250-39 through 250-42: permitted, conditional, and prohibited uses)

  • Projects are subject to zoning performance, intensity, dimensional, height, yard, buffer, parking, and loading requirements, which can limit a facility's size, layout, or feasibility. (§§ 250-43 through 250-55: performance standards and bulk requirements)

  • Development must comply with design standards governing circulation, buildings, landscaping, lighting, refuse and recycling storage, parking and loading, stormwater management, signs, open space, and critical or sensitive areas. (Article X: design standards)

  • Applicants may be required to pay application fees and fund professional-review escrows, while approvals may require performance, safety, stability, and maintenance guarantees. (Article XII: fees, professional review escrows, and guarantees)

  • The chapter allows requirements for off-tract improvements, potentially adding infrastructure obligations or costs to a development. (§ 250-107: off-tract improvements)

Sources

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