MORRIS COUNTY — State Senator Joe Pennacchio, a Republican representing Morris and Passaic Counties, questioned why Governor Mikie Sherrill supports allowing municipalities to determine whether data centers are appropriate for their communities but does not give local officials the same discretion when it comes to meeting state housing mandates.
In a recent interview, Governor Sherrill said that there are “certain towns where it’s probably not appropriate to build data centers,” and others where “it probably makes sense,” arguing in favor of letting municipalities make their own decisions.
“Governor Sherrill acknowledged that towns have different needs and capabilities, and that what makes sense in one community may not be appropriate in another. That same principle should apply to state-mandated high-density housing,” said Senator Pennacchio. “Local governments know their communities, infrastructure, school capacities, and available land better than any bureaucrat in Trenton. State housing policies should recognize those differences. Local decision-making is the right approach, but it should be applied consistently.”
Municipal leaders have warned that in its present form, high-density housing mandates threaten the destruction of open space, lead to overcrowding, and place immense strain on local resources and infrastructure. Despite raising these concerns, Trenton Democrats and Governor Sherrill have pushed ahead with unrealistic mandates.
