Franklin Park Borough Council approves guidelines for data centers
Franklin Park Borough Council in Pennsylvania has adopted an ordinance to establish a data center overlay district, setting detailed guidelines for future data center developers. This proactive measure addresses concerns such as noise, water usage, and power supply, aiming to protect the borough from uncontrolled development. The council emphasized that the regulations are not intended to invite data centers but rather to manage potential future projects.
The Franklin Park Borough Council in Pennsylvania has adopted an ordinance to create a data center overlay district within its zoning map. This proactive measure aims to establish detailed guidelines for prospective data center developers, covering aspects such as dimensional standards, landscape buffers, noise and vibration, water and sewer, power supply, emergency management, aesthetics, and decommissioning.
Borough Council President Uday Palled stated the goal is to prepare for potential AI company interest and avoid being caught unprepared like other municipalities without existing regulations. Borough Manager Zachary Filous highlighted the importance of regulating sound and vibration from 24-hour facilities with large generators.
Councilmember Brian Malkin clarified that the regulation's purpose is not to invite data centers but to proactively protect the borough. While no data center applications have been submitted, community members within the new overlay district, such as Theresa Long, expressed their opposition to having data centers in their residential areas. The ordinance will undergo review at the county level as part of its enactment process.