Sayreville Pauses Data Center Development For 18 Months, Rejects Permanent Ban

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SAYREVILLE, NJ — New data center development is temporarily on hold in Sayreville—but an effort to prohibit it permanently failed after Mayor Kennedy O’Brien cast a tie-breaking vote.

The Borough Council adopted Ordinance 15-26 on July 20, establishing an 18-month moratorium on data center development.

Immediately afterward, Councilwoman Mary Novak attempted to introduce a separate ordinance that would permanently ban data centers. The council split 3-3, leaving O’Brien to break the tie.

The mayor voted no.

The two decisions leave Sayreville with a temporary pause while borough officials study the issue, consider possible regulations and determine whether data centers should have a future in the community.

Why Is Sayreville Debating Data Centers?

Much of the discussion centers on the approximately 200-acre former Hercules industrial property, where data centers have been a permitted use since 2012.

The moratorium gives the borough 18 months to examine questions involving land use, infrastructure and the potential effects of data center development before deciding what should happen next.

The issue brought dozens of residents to Borough Hall, with speakers raising concerns about electricity consumption, the environment, noise, economic risk and the possible effects of artificial intelligence.

Other speakers argued that development could generate tax revenue from a large industrial property.

Residents Raise Environmental And Financial Concerns

John Shu, an Edison resident, told the council that artificial intelligence data centers consume more resources than traditional facilities.

Shu said data centers currently account for “seven percent of the electricity usage in our state.”

Rodrigo Bunay pointed to Sayreville’s industrial history and urged officials to consider the potential long-term environmental consequences.

“Let’s not become another Superfund site in five years, when we will see the true negative implications of these data centers,” Bunay said.

Another resident, , questioned whether the growth surrounding artificial intelligence is financially sustainable.

“Taxpayers should not be on the hook for this economic failure,” Sheridan told the council.

Emily Lamonica, a resident and librarian, raised concerns about how artificial intelligence could affect developing minds. She questioned whether the technology could contribute to “decreased abilities to think and solve problems.”

One Resident Points To Tax Revenue And The Site’s Location

Not every speaker supported keeping data centers out of Sayreville.

A resident named Jim told the council that he measured noise from similar facilities at approximately 65 decibels, which he compared to a household air conditioner.

He also argued that the former Hercules property is separated from surrounding areas by woods and existing warehouses.

With local taxes increasing, Jim said the borough should consider the potential revenue that could come from developing the site.

“Taxes are going up,” he said. “We might as well take advantage.”

Why Some Officials Preferred An 18-Month Pause

Council President John Zebrowski supported the temporary moratorium, arguing that Sayreville needs time to develop regulations and gather technical information.

“If you do a permanent ban today with nothing to back it up, you put the borough in a bad position,” Zebrowski said.

He described the moratorium as an opportunity for Sayreville to build a “toolbox” of regulations and engineering studies before making a lasting decision.

Zebrowski also pointed to litigation involving other New Jersey municipalities that attempted to act quickly on data centers.

Councilman Michael Pilesi agreed that the borough should study the issue before imposing a permanent prohibition.

“We’re not data center experts,” Pilesi said. “So let’s figure it out together.”

Other Council Members Wanted A Permanent Ban

Councilman Herve Blemur opposed relying solely on the 18-month review period, calling it a “farce.”

Blemur argued that the borough already has enough information about the potential negative effects to prohibit data centers permanently.

Novak supported the temporary moratorium as an immediate protection but also wanted the borough to go further.

“Once the application is presented, it’s too late,” Novak said.

After the council approved the moratorium, Novak moved to introduce an ordinance creating a complete and permanent ban.

The vote split evenly:

Voting yes:

• Mary Novak
• Herve Blemur
• Alberto Rios

Voting no:

• John Zebrowski
• Michael Pilesi
• Stanley Synarski

O’Brien then cast the deciding vote against introducing the permanent ban.

“I’m in favor of getting more information,” O’Brien said. “I’m not afraid of information.”

What Happens Next?

For now, the 18-month moratorium remains the borough’s approach.

During that period, Sayreville officials are expected to study data centers and consider what regulations may be needed before the council makes a longer-term decision.

The permanent ban did not advance, meaning the broader question remains unresolved: whether Sayreville will eventually allow data centers under new restrictions or seek to prohibit them after the review is complete.

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