Belleville is taking steps to prohibit Artificial Intelligence data centers from opening in the township following widespread concerns from residents regarding quality-of-life impacts.

The Belleville Township Council voted Tuesday night to initiate the formal process to ban AI data centers as a permitted land use throughout the municipality.

This measure comes in response to pushback from community members who raised alarms over the potential noise, energy demands and industrial footprint associated with the massive computing facilities.

"We have heard from countless residents across every corner of our community who have expressed serious concerns about these facilities coming into their neighborhoods and the potential impact on their quality of life," said Belleville Mayor Michael Melham. "Belleville residents have made it clear that they do not want these facilities in their backyards. We hear you, and we are taking your concerns seriously."

Belleville now joins a growing list of New Jersey municipalities reevaluating or blocking data center developments as artificial intelligence infrastructure continues to expand rapidly across the region.

Township officials said they will continue to keep the community updated as the ordinance moves through the formal approval process.