PHILLIPSBURG, N.J. (Warren County) — The Phillipsburg Town Council has approved an ordinance prohibiting data centers in all zones within the municipality, officials said.
Mayor Randy S. Piazza Jr. announced the measure following a council vote Tuesday night, calling it a proactive step to guide development in the town.
The ordinance amends local zoning regulations to designate data centers and related uses as prohibited across Phillipsburg. According to the measure, data centers are defined as facilities used for the storage, processing and management of digital data, including supporting infrastructure such as servers, power systems and cooling equipment.
Officials cited concerns about the potential impacts of large-scale data centers, including high electricity demand, significant water usage, noise and environmental effects, as well as strain on local resources and infrastructure.
“Tuesday night, the Town Council voted to approve an ordinance banning data centers in Town of Phillipsburg. This proactive measure helps ensure responsible and balanced development in our community,” Piazza said in a statement.
“I want to thank James Kern III for bringing this forward as part of a broader effort to support thoughtful and uniform development across Warren County,” he added.
“As always, we will continue working to protect the character of our town while planning smartly for the future,” Piazza said.
