From the Office of the Township Administrator:
WOOLWICH TOWNSHIP, NJ — In light of recent news reports regarding proposed data center developments in Gloucester and Cumberland Counties, Woolwich Township officials are addressing questions from residents concerned about similar projects within the community.
“It’s always encouraging to see our residents engaged and paying attention to how our community is growing,” said Woolwich Township Mayor Natalie Matthias. “Given Woolwich’s location and the amount of land zoned for industrial and warehouse use, I understand why residents may have questions. However, I want to clearly reaffirm that under the township’s current zoning code, no warehouse sites — existing or future — are permitted to be used for data centers.”
Data centers are specialized facilities that house IT infrastructure used for data storage, processing, and distribution. Following recent announcements of data centers planned in parts of South Jersey, many residents across the region have expressed concern about the impact of these facilities, particularly their high consumption of electricity and water.
“While data centers can sometimes bring investment or jobs, they also impose heavy demands on local electric grids and water systems,” Matthias continued. “In a time when many New Jersey families are already struggling with rising utility costs, we understand and share the community’s concern about ensuring sustainable growth and protecting resources for our residents.”
Mayor Matthias reiterated that under Woolwich Township’s zoning standards, data centers are not listed as a permitted use within any zones, including warehouse (CD) or commercial (CC) zones. Any attempt by a developer to establish or lease a property for that purpose would require them to apply for a formal use variance before the Joint Land Use Board (JLUB) — a process that mandates a public hearing in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) to ensure full transparency for residents.
“No application or request for a data center has been submitted to Woolwich’s JLUB,” Matthias said. “We want residents to know that we hear your concerns, and we remain committed to balancing economic opportunity with the protection of our community’s character, infrastructure, and quality of life.”
Jim Watson
Woolwich Township Administrator