By J. Mayhew
Published August 27, 2026 at 3:38 PM EDT

             Manchester Township Council brought forth an ordinance Monday night. It bans AI data centers in the municipality. The measure, Ordinance No. 26-48, came before a packed crowd who carried signs and chanted "No Data Centers. No Means No."

             The ordinance repeals a measure approved in August 2025 that designated a property owned by Stavola Corporation off South Hope Chapel Road for redevelopment. That earlier legislation included a provision listing data centers as an acceptable use.

             Council President Michele Zolezi announced the repeal at the start of the public meeting session. Mayor Joseph Hankins was absent due to a prior commitment in Whiting. He attended the executive session to reiterate his opposition.

             "Tonight the Council took an important step toward listening to the concerns our residents have raised," Hankins said after the meeting, according to Patch. "Repealing this provision removes data centers from our redevelopment plan entirely, and reflects our commitment to ensuring that future development in Manchester Township aligns with the character, resources, and priorities of our community."

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             The ordinance will receive a second reading, public hearing, and final vote on Sept. 14, said township attorney Lauren Staiger. It takes effect 20 days after publication following the final vote in early October.

             U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, who represents the area as part of New Jersey's 4th District, issued a statement Monday afternoon supporting the ban. "AI data centers pose critical environmental risks and impose undue stresses on local resources — including water and electricity — which place significant financial burdens on ratepayers and residents," Smith said.

             Residents packed the meeting for the second time this month. A packed crowd attended the Aug. 10 council meeting after rumors spread that a developer had approached the town about building a facility in the Pine Barrens.

             Carl Block, the township's business administrator, said no plans have been submitted. He said the 2025 ordinance had created the only place where such a facility was possible under zoning rules, and repealing it removes that option completely.

             Block said a developer could have moved forward by filing a complete application with the planning board. Getting an application deemed complete is a process that doesn't happen quickly in most cases, he said.

             One resident in costume as the Jersey Devil urged the council to protect the Kirkwood-Cohansey Aquifer, a massive underground reserve that provides drinking water to millions of New Jersey residents. The man, who identified himself as "JD," thanked the council. He urged officials to buy more parcels as open space through the Ocean County Natural Lands Trust program.

This article was published on August 27, 2026 and can be found online at: https://wrat.com/2026/08/27/manchester-township-introduces-ban-on-artificial-intelligence-data-centers/