Vineland City Council Meeting February 24, 2026: Data Center Concerns and Public Comment Reduction

The Vineland City Council held its regular meeting on February 24, 2026, at 5:30 PM. The agenda included four ordinances on public hearing and final reading, two ordinances on first reading, and 25 resolutions. A large portion of the meeting was dedicated to public comments regarding a proposed data center by DataOne and a proposed amendment to reduce the public comment period. All items on the agenda were adopted.

Consent Calendar

• Resolutions 2026-64 through 2026-85 were adopted via a single motion (the transcript indicates a consent motion; the minutes record individual votes). Highlights include: Resolution 2026-64 (amending Council by-laws to reduce public comment time from five to three minutes); Resolution 2026-65 (employee agreement with Deputy Police Chief Craig Scarpa); Resolution 2026-66 (Rutgers University grant agreement); Resolutions 2026-67 and 2026-68 (NEHA/FDA grant applications); Resolution 2026-69 (forgivable loans for Project Beautify Phase Two); Resolution 2026-70 (change order for Pennoni Associates, $652,028.61); Resolution 2026-71 (contract awards for municipal court furniture); Resolution 2026-72 (purchase of 1500kW diesel generator for City Hall backup, not to exceed $770,835); Resolution 2026-73 (liens for unpaid property registration fees); Resolution 2026-74 (payment of NJ Public Power Authority dues); Resolutions 2026-75 and 2026-76 (grant receivable cancellations); Resolution 2026-77 (tax cancellation for CY 2025 & 2026); Resolution 2026-78 (tax refund); Resolution 2026-79 (surety reduction/release); Resolution 2026-80 (temporary emergency appropriations for 2026); Resolution 2026-81 (transfer of 2025 reserve appropriations); Resolution 2026-82 (payment of bills); Resolution 2026-83 (taxicab licenses); Resolution 2026-84 (adopting Planning Board findings for redevelopment area Block 4301); Resolution 2026-85 (change order for Frank Mazza & Son, $11,924.73).

Public Comments & Testimony

• MaryAnn Laielli (Vineland resident) opposed the reduction of public comment time; asked whether the City had received an independent environmental study from DataOne. City Solicitor Tonetta stated it has not yet been received but is expected shortly and will be filed with the Land Use Board.
• Kate Delaney (Collingswood, South Jersey Organizer for Food & Water Watch) expressed extreme concern about the Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) storage tank in the revised data center plan, detailing explosion, fire, and evacuation risks, and arguing that residents have not been adequately informed of dangers.
• Heidi Yeh (Cherry Hill, Policy Director for Pinelands Preservation Alliance) stated that the plans have changed dramatically, urged the Council to exercise due diligence, review amendments, and hold the developer accountable for environmental impacts.
• Bailey Winder (Mays Landing) questioned the reduction of public comment time; stated the project may increase utility costs and negatively impact the environment; submitted a petition with approximately 1,600 signatures to Governor Sherrill; called for transparency. President Spinelli clarified that no Council member or their families are financially benefiting from the project.
• Diane Garrity (Vineland resident) expressed dissatisfaction with the data center proposal and the public comment time reduction.
• Matt Williams (Vineland resident) requested clarification on preventive maintenance for the proposed closed-loop system and disposal of wastewater; noted conflicting plans on file; asked about digital citizen cards for weekly free produce.
• Larry Garrity (Vineland resident) asked whether Council members hold stock in Northeast Precast and whether they had advance knowledge of site plan changes.
• Elora Malet (Vineland resident) stated that no environmental study has been completed, asserted that project amendments should have been presented to the public for a vote, expressed concern about long-term water sustainability, and opposed the comment time reduction.
• Brianna Shaw (Brooklawn) expressed concern about corporate oversight and potential impacts to local water resources, including lakes near the Malaga area.
• Nicole Alvarez (Vineland resident) objected to the public comment time reduction, stated that Council notes do not translate into meaningful engagement, and requested notification when the data center matter proceeds before the Planning Board.
• Mary Gaunt (Vineland resident) expressed concern that the data center sits atop a sensitive water supply, cited industrial sprawl and emission filtration concerns, and noted that biofilter calculations have been flagged by NJDEP.
• Trista Cleevs (Vineland resident) perceived tension between Council and residents, questioned long-term project management, and urged Council to vote against the public comment time reduction.
• Steve Lewis (Vineland resident) commended Public Works for snow removal and Vineland Municipal Electric Utility for outage response, but expressed concern about Atlantic City Electric’s ability to reliably supply power to the data center.
• Daniel Carrabello (Vineland resident) expressed opposition to the data center, stating that financial motivations are driving the project and it has moved forward too quickly.
• Angie Ianucci (Rosenhayn) expressed opposition to the data center and raised concerns about societal impacts of artificial intelligence, suggesting financial incentives are the primary motivation.
• Jeff Lindsey (Vineland resident) acknowledged that construction appears to be progressing and suggested that, if the project continues, Council should seek tangible community benefits such as youth facilities, sports programs, schools, or public investment opportunities.
• Donna Gallina (emailed statement) expressed concerns about long-term health risks based on experiences near a Superfund site, urged Council to prioritize public health, reconsider potentially harmful projects, and ensure strict monitoring of businesses that release chemicals.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 2026-7: President Spinelli clarified that this ordinance appropriating $1 million from the Capital Improvement Fund for electric utility upgrades is unrelated to the data center and is for energy efficiency and storage. It passed 5-0.
• Ordinances 2026-8, 2026-9, 2026-10: All three amendments to the City Code (right of access, remote meters, affordable housing) were adopted 5-0 without discussion.
• Ordinances 2026-11 and 2026-12: First readings were approved 5-0; public hearings scheduled for March 10, 2026.
• Resolution 2026-61 and 2026-62: Recognizing retirees Carmen Courter and David Donahue; adopted 5-0.
• Resolution 2026-63: Appointing Testa, Heck, Testa & White as part-time public defender and S. Daniel Hutchison as alternate/conflict public defender; adopted 3-0-2 (Councilmember English and President Spinelli abstained).
• Resolutions 2026-64 through 2026-85: Adopted via consent agenda (see Consent Calendar).
• Privilege of the Floor: Councilmember Vargas thanked retirees. Councilmember English praised snow removal and EMS, addressed the public comment time reduction stating he trusts President Spinelli to exercise discretion, and emphasized that Council cares about issues raised. President Spinelli stated that the data center approvals were legally required to avoid lawsuits, that future amendments go to the Planning or Zoning Board (not Council), and that he expects respectful decorum from the public.

Key Outcomes

• All four ordinances on public hearing and final reading adopted unanimously (5-0).
• Two ordinances (2026-11, 2026-12) passed on first reading; public hearings set for March 10, 2026.
• Resolution 2026-64 adopted, reducing the public comment period from five minutes to three minutes.
• Resolution 2026-63 adopted with two abstentions.
• All other resolutions adopted, including recognition of retirees, appointments, grants, contracts, and financial authorizations.
• Council stated that the data center’s amended site plan is under the jurisdiction of the Planning Board and that prior Council votes were legally mandated to avoid litigation.
• Council acknowledged receipt of public concerns and encouraged continued communication.