Berkeley Heights Development News
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June 9, 2026 Township Council Meeting
Published: Jun 9, 2026
Berkeley Heights Has No LED Streetlights; Plan Includes Transition
During the discussion on the Community Energy Plan, a question arose regarding the current status of the township's streetlights, specifically if any are LED. It was confirmed that currently, no township streetlights are LED. It was also noted that while some owned streetlights might be LED, the majority are not, and JCP&L owns the remainder and they are not LED. Governor Murphy's administration has proposed a transition to LED streetlights, but the cost is a significant factor, as it involves replacing entire fixtures, not just bulbs. The plan includes converting streetlights to LED as a focus area for improving energy efficiency.
Ordinance Clarifies Definition of Data Center to Exclude Incidental Server Rooms
During the discussion regarding the proposed data center ban, Councilwoman Pogue clarified the definition of a data center. The ordinance defines it as any facility or portion thereof primarily used for housing, operating, and maintaining computer servers and associated power distribution and cooling infrastructure for the purpose of storing, processing, or transmitting digital data for third parties. This definition includes colocation, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence training or interference facilities. Crucially, it excludes server rooms or equipment spaces that are incidental and subordinate to a primary permitted use on the same lot, ensuring that standard office server rooms are not inadvertently prohibited. This clarification aims to clearly delineate what constitutes a prohibited data center use from typical business operations.
Councilwoman Pogue Presents Research Supporting Data Center Ban Ordinance
The Township Council is considering a proposed ordinance to ban data centers within Berkeley Heights. Councilwoman Susan Pogue presented research indicating significant negative impacts of data centers, including high energy and water consumption, noise and air pollution, and limited long-term job creation. She highlighted that while there might be initial tax benefits, the long-term public costs for infrastructure and environmental damage could outweigh them. Pogue detailed the cons, such as temporary job booms, strain on power and water infrastructure, and health concerns like noise pollution up to 96 dB and air pollution contributing to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. She also noted that data centers often operate with non-disclosure agreements, preventing communities from fully understanding their impact. The proposed ordinance aims to protect resident health and resources by prohibiting data centers. Council members and residents largely supported the ban, emphasizing the need to preserve the community's character and resources. The council plans to introduce the ordinance for adoption in July.
Berkeley Heights Considers Ban on Data Centers Amidst Environmental and Infrastructure Concerns
The Berkeley Heights Township Council is considering an ordinance to ban data centers within the township. This proposal stems from research highlighting significant negative impacts of data centers, including high energy and water consumption, noise and air pollution, and minimal long-term job creation. The council aims to proactively protect community health, infrastructure, and natural resources by preventing the development of these facilities. The ordinance defines data centers broadly to encompass facilities primarily used for housing computer servers and associated cooling and power infrastructure for third-party data storage, processing, or transmission, including colocation, cloud computing, and AI training facilities, while exempting incidental server rooms within permitted uses. Several residents spoke in favor of the ban, citing concerns about environmental impact, water usage, noise pollution, and potential long-term costs to the municipality. Some council members expressed reservations about potential tax revenue, but ultimately leaned towards supporting the ban to preserve the community's quality of life. The council plans to introduce the ordinance at the next meeting for adoption in July, with a 20-day estoppel period thereafter.
Berkeley Heights Unveils Draft Community Energy Plan to Reduce Greenhouse Gases
Alvaro presented the draft Berkeley Heights Township Community Energy Plan, initiated in mid-2024 with grant funding for a consultant. The plan, a summary of a larger document, outlines strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve quality of life over the next five years, aligned with the New Jersey Energy Master Plan. Key findings indicate that vehicles are the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in Berkeley Heights, followed by natural gas usage in residences. Electricity consumption is primarily driven by the commercial sector, while residential sector dominates gas use. The plan's strategies include promoting electric vehicles, more efficient fleets, and anti-idling policies; encouraging solar energy adoption and installation through municipal code; and maximizing energy efficiency in municipal facilities, promoting resident and commercial efficiency through incentive programs, and converting streetlights to LED. The plan is aspirational, incorporating strategies that depend on affordability and potential grant funding from the Board of Public Utilities, which is also the sponsor of the grant to develop the plan. The plan is currently a draft and requires adoption by resolution, with a proposed inclusion on the June 30th agenda. Alvaro welcomed feedback and acknowledged the contributions of the team members and Sustainable Jersey, which actively assisted in the process. A key next step involves applying for grant funds to implement initiatives and tracking progress through emission metrics.
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