Data Center Ban Fails After Split Sayreville Council Vote
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Sayreville rejected a proposal to permanently ban data centers borough-wide, while separately advancing a redevelopment-plan amendment that removes references to them from the former Sunshine Biscuit site.
The two actions came during the Borough Council’s Sept. 14 meeting. Council members split 3–3 on the proposed permanent ban, with Mayor Kennedy O’Brien casting the deciding vote against it.
The votes addressed different questions: what should be included in the Sunshine Biscuit redevelopment plan, and whether Sayreville should prohibit data centers throughout the borough.
What Changed at Sunshine Biscuit?
The council approved Ordinance 19-26 on first reading, advancing an amendment to the Hercules Redevelopment Plan II for the former Sunshine Biscuit property. A public hearing was scheduled for Sept. 28, meaning the amendment has not yet received final approval.
“The redevelopment plan, the ordinance, is the same as what was previously, except with the removal of the data centers,” Borough Attorney Joseph Sordillo said.
Responding to Councilman Herve Blemur, Sordillo said the data center language was carried over from an older version of the plan and was not part of the redeveloper’s proposal.
That change applies to the redevelopment plan for the site. It is separate from the later proposal to prohibit data centers across Sayreville.
A Borough-Wide Ban Divides the Council
Later in the meeting, Blemur moved to make the borough’s existing temporary pause on data centers permanent. Councilwoman Mary Novak seconded the motion.
Blemur cited environmental concerns, including a news report about a diesel fuel spill into a New Jersey creek that he linked to a data center facility. He also raised concerns about cybersecurity and the development of artificial intelligence.
Councilman Stanley Synarski said he needed more information about the reported spill before supporting a permanent ban.
“I do not know if it came from an above ground storage tank that would probably be used for generators or power. I need more on that topic,” Synarski said.
Councilman Michael Colaci also opposed the motion, saying his position had not changed from previous discussions.
Council President John Zebrowski argued that detailed operating standards and regulations would offer a better way to address potential impacts on the community.
“I do again believe that the best process is to be able to put together your specifications, your performance data, and also your regulations to ensure that you can protect your community,” Zebrowski said.
Blemur, Novak and Councilman Alberto Rios voted for the permanent ban. Colaci, Synarski and Zebrowski voted against it. O’Brien then broke the tie by voting no, defeating the motion.
Resident Urges Standards for Power and Cooling
During public comment, resident Tom Fritzen, who said he works with artificial intelligence systems in health care, encouraged officials to consider requirements governing how a data center would obtain electricity and cool its equipment.
“There are also ways to cool these data centers without using water or evaporating water,” Fritzen said.
He suggested that any future consideration of a data center should include clear expectations about its use of local utilities.
“You can’t use our water. You can’t use our electricity grid. You have to figure out a way to power it and cool it,” Fritzen said, describing the standards he would want the borough to establish.
The defeated motion did not establish a permanent borough-wide prohibition. Separately, the Sunshine Biscuit redevelopment-plan amendment is scheduled to return for a public hearing on Sept. 28.
