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Warren County Commissioner James R. Kern III has shared a model ordinance with local mayors to aid municipalities in assessing large-scale data centers' impacts on communities, infrastructure, and environmental resources.

This advisory tool aims to facilitate discussions on aligning data center projects with municipal plans and priorities. The ordinance highlights the importance of protecting local water supplies, particularly in the New Jersey Highlands region, which provides drinking water to over 70% of the state's residents.

It encourages consideration of groundwater availability and sustainable resource use in land planning. Additionally, the model ordinance allows municipalities to designate data centers as nonpermitted uses in all zoning districts if deemed appropriate. The framework aims to help local governments evaluate infrastructure demands and maintain land use authority while making informed decisions.