Permanent Data Center Ban Fails Again In Sayreville As Council Keeps 18-Month Pause

A proposal to prohibit data centers permanently failed in a 2-3 vote as borough officials argued for more time to study potential regulations.

Want more reporting on development, local government and the decisions shaping Sayreville? Subscribe to The Sayreville Insider’s free newsletter.

SAYREVILLE — An effort to ban data centers permanently in Sayreville has failed for the second time, leaving the borough’s 18-month moratorium in place while officials continue studying the issue.

Councilman Alberto Rios made the motion during the Borough Council’s Aug. 17 meeting, arguing that a permanent prohibition would give Sayreville as much time as necessary to evaluate data centers without facing the expiration of its temporary moratorium.

“A permanent ban will give the residents and the governing body plenty of time—or infinite time—to make a thoughtful decision and not rush a decision,” Rios said.

Councilwoman Mary Novak seconded the motion.

Novak said she was concerned that the current moratorium would automatically expire at the end of its 18-month term.

Why Some Officials Opposed A Permanent Ban

Mayor Kennedy O’Brien and several council members urged the borough to continue studying the issue before taking permanent action.

O’Brien pointed to Sayreville’s previous experiences with land-use litigation and warned that moving too quickly could leave the borough vulnerable to a legal challenge.

“Prudence would dictate we go slowly,” O’Brien said. “Sayreville, quite frankly, has a lousy history in land-use court, and again, caution is always better than making a lot of rash decisions.”

Council President John Zebrowski said the borough is already taking a “thoughtful approach” by researching potential performance standards and examining regulations adopted by communities including East Brunswick and Bridgewater.

The permanent-ban motion failed 2-3.

Novak and Rios voted in favor of the proposal. Council members Colaci, Synarski and Zebrowski voted against it.

Sayreville’s Moratorium Remains In Place

The failed vote did not change the borough’s existing 18-month moratorium.

The temporary restriction prevents new data center development while Sayreville studies the industry’s potential effects and considers regulations governing where and how the facilities could operate.

The council adopted the moratorium in July following extensive public discussion about electricity demand, infrastructure capacity, environmental effects and the long-term impact data centers could have on the community.

Residents attending that meeting called on the council to go beyond a temporary pause and prohibit the facilities completely.

A motion by Novak to pursue a permanent ban ended in a 3-3 tie at that meeting, with O’Brien voting against it.

What Happens Next?

No permanent decision on data centers has been made.

For now, the moratorium gives Sayreville officials time to research the issue and develop possible regulations before the temporary restriction expires.

The disagreement remains over whether that approach provides adequate protection—or whether the borough should rule out data centers entirely.

For more coverage of Sayreville development and Borough Council decisions, subscribe to The Sayreville Insider’s free newsletter.