Clifton Twp. to consider settlement with data center developer

Clifton Twp. is set to discuss a settlement agreement with 1778 Rich Pike LLC and JCO LLC regarding a legal challenge concerning the township’s zoning regulations for data centers. The developer initially proposed a large-scale data center campus, “Project Gold,” but the current plans involve five data centers in Clifton Twp. The settlement would permit the developer to use the property for data centers and battery storage without conditional use approval, provided they adhere to numerous conditions. A key stipulation is the developer’s agreement to abandon plans for a small modular nuclear reactor or gas-fired power plant.

The dispute arose from the developer’s claim that the township’s zoning ordinance unlawfully excluded data centers. The township amended its zoning to allow data centers as conditional uses, but the developer continued to challenge the regulations. The settlement aims to avoid protracted litigation and promote sound land use planning.

The agreement includes conditions related to building size, height, water usage, environmental impact, sound mitigation, and emergency response. The developer must also conduct studies on fiscal impact and provide necessary equipment for local fire departments. The township will review these studies and ensure compliance with the agreed-upon conditions before granting final land development approval.

(Source：Yahoo! News)