The Data Center Divide
A policy snapshot ahead of the 2026 midterms. Mapping data center incentives, restrictions, and bans through legislation, regulations, and executive actions across all 50 states and 1,462 local jurisdictions.
Village of Salem Lakes
Anti-Data Center Policies
Salem Lakes allows data centers only with conditional-use approval in heavy-manufacturing zones, limits building size to 50,000 square feet, and requires on-site carbon-neutral power for domestic energy use.
current law · Village of Salem LakesSalem Lakes amends its zoning rules for data centers, solar farms and battery storage.Village of Salem Lakes Ordinance amending zoning regulations for battery energy storage systems, solar energy systems, and data centers (2026)
What this means
The ordinance would allow data centers only as conditional uses in the heavy-manufacturing district, while limiting each building to 50,000 square feet and requiring on-site carbon-neutral power for domestic energy use. Those limits, along with large setbacks and extensive environmental, noise, landscaping, and lighting requirements, could make projects substantially harder to build and operate, though they do not ban them outright.
People behind it
- Samuel Schultz
Von Briesen consultant hired by the village
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements3
Packet text requires independent noise, water, wastewater, air pollution, wetland impact, and energy use projections, plus a post-construction noise study.
Packet text says No individual building may exceed 50,000 square feet.
Packet text requires 500 feet from all parcels with residential uses and 250 feet from all other lot lines, and on-site carbon neutral sources for domestic, noncomputing energy usage. Final enacted wording remains unverified.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1
The packet provides a conditional-use route rather than an express categorical ban: M-2 Heavy Manufacturing District conditional uses. This is an interpretive benefit of a regulatory pathway, not an incentive.
Sources
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