York County township's new data center ordinance draws frustration from residents

Conewago Township, York County, residents voiced significant frustration after reviewing the first draft of a proposed data center ordinance, which township leaders unveiled following nine months of discussion and six months of drafting by officials and legal counsel. Many residents, who had awaited guidance on data center development for nearly a year, expected more restrictive regulations and greater community input in the ordinance's formulation. They noted that model ordinances they submitted, aimed at protecting communities, were not incorporated into the draft.

The proposed ordinance includes a 90-foot height limit for data center buildings, specific noise standards, and mandatory setbacks of 200 feet for industrial zones and 500 feet for residential zones. Some of these residential zones fall within the proposed data center overlay district, a parameter many residents hope to see entirely removed, arguing that data centers are incompatible with low-density village descriptions. Farmer Jim Rexroth, who had sought to market part of his farmland for a potential data center due to existing utility infrastructure, expressed disillusionment, stating he had not had the opportunity for formal discussion with township officials despite his efforts. His property was not included in the proposed overlay district.

Township Manager Mark Stivers, who joined in April, acknowledged the challenge of finding a middle ground, emphasizing the need to draft an ordinance that is both legally defensible and sufficiently robust to avoid attracting excessive development. The township's current development moratorium, which prevents new development applications, is scheduled to expire in January. Stivers stated his hope to finalize the ordinance well before this expiration date.