The board’s decision to endorse an ordinance prohibiting data centers in Old Bridge Township was a focal point of the meeting. The ordinance, introduced by the township council, explicitly bans data centers. Currently, data centers are only permitted in specific redevelopment plan zones, but these sites are already approved for warehouse use, not data centers. The Crossroads property, which allows data centers, is entangled in litigation and lacks the necessary power and water infrastructure. The ordinance is seen as a definitive step to prevent the establishment of data centers in Old Bridge, a move that was encouraged in previous council meetings.

In another development, the board approved a preliminary investigation into designating an area as a transit village. This initiative targets the “gold shopping center,” which suffers from high vacancy rates. The township planner explained that the proximity to the Old Bridge commuter parking lot and the potential for increased bus ridership could qualify the area for a transit village designation. Such a designation would allow the township to access state funding for infrastructure improvements and promote mixed-use development, thereby creating a pedestrian-friendly, non-auto-dependent community. This effort aims to revitalize the area with commercial establishments that cater to local residents and commuters, while also addressing the township’s affordable housing obligations.