AI Data Center Ban Heads To Final Vote In Summit

SUMMIT, NJ — Residents in Summit could soon see artificial intelligence data centers officially prohibited within the city.

The Summit Common Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing Tuesday on a proposal that would ban AI data center facilities, the final step before members decide whether to adopt the measure.

The proposal comes as communities across the country continue grappling with the growing demand for large computing facilities needed to support artificial intelligence technology.

In Summit, officials are aiming to get ahead of the issue.

The ordinance would add AI data centers to the city’s list of prohibited land uses, effectively preventing the facilities from operating in Summit.

Much of the discussion so far has not centered on whether the city should restrict these facilities, but rather how they should be defined in the ordinance.

During the introduction earlier this month, council discussion focused heavily on language tied to a 20-megawatt peak power threshold.

Municipal Land Use Manager Augusto Thomaso said the benchmark was based on industry standards and comparisons to existing infrastructure. He noted that traditional server rooms typically operate around that level, while large-scale AI data centers can require hundreds of megawatts of power.

Some officials and residents, however, questioned whether that threshold could leave a loophole that would still allow a facility to operate below the limit while functioning as a data center.

Council Member Jamel Boyer raised concerns during the June 3 meeting.

“I think this ordinance just needs to be stronger,” Boyer said. “This doesn’t prohibit what the residents don’t want.”

Resident James Catherine also encouraged the city to take a broader approach.

“If we don’t want any AI data centers, then let’s say that,” Catherine said. “No AI data centers, regardless of the megawatts.”

Other council members said the current language provides a practical and measurable standard for defining prohibited uses.

Council Member Jaclyn Lasaracina said the threshold creates a clear framework for evaluating future proposals, while Council Member Chantal Landman said the city should continue moving forward rather than delay action as technology continues to evolve.

City documents do not identify any specific AI data center projects currently proposed in Summit.

Tuesday’s public hearing will give residents another chance to weigh in before the council takes final action on the proposed ban.