Swatara Township plans for residential forest update, data center ordinance
Swatara Township supervisors unanimously agreed to advertise an ordinance regulating data centers and revising residential forest district zoning. The ordinance, which would place data centers in industrial districts and establish minimum requirements, is slated for potential adoption on August 13. Residents have voiced concerns about noise and other operational impacts from data centers.
Swatara Township supervisors unanimously voted on July 9 to advertise a new ordinance designed to regulate data centers and revise the residential forest district zoning. The proposed ordinance, which could be adopted at the August 13 meeting, aims to establish minimum requirements for data center operations and restrict their placement to industrial zoning districts, as the current zoning code lacks specific language regarding data centers.
Solicitor Colleen Gallo clarified that while the ordinance cannot legally prohibit data centers, it will introduce critical provisions such as setback, buffer, and lot size requirements. Supervisor Rick Kreitzer further noted that the township retains the ability to impose restrictions on building height and mandate the use of public water. Residents have already voiced concerns about potential issues like vibrations and constant humming associated with data center operations, driving the need for this regulatory framework.
Separately, the supervisors addressed the North Lancaster Street Bridge replacement project. Following evaluations from Wilson Engineering and HRG, they agreed to hire HRG for engineering services to replace the 70-year-old bridge, which is suffering from a failing support system and base cracking. The estimated construction costs range from $800,000 to $1.35 million.