Exeter Borough Council approves data center zoning amendment

Exeter Borough Council in Pennsylvania recently approved a significant amendment to its zoning code, establishing specific rules and standards for the development of future data centers within the borough. The decision followed a public hearing where council attorney Ray Hassey emphasized that many municipalities are unprepared for the high energy and water consumption, as well as the large land parcels, that data centers require. Currently, no data center applications have been submitted to Exeter Borough. Under the new ordinance, data centers will be permitted as conditional uses in I-1 (General Industrial) zones, meaning each project will require council approval. Applicants must submit a comprehensive package, including site plans, detailed electricity and water infrastructure plans, emergency response and decommissioning strategies, and documentation of required studies on noise, vibration, water, and environmental impacts. The ordinance also outlines the potential inclusion of community incentive packages for hyperscale or major data center developments, designed to offset project impacts and benefit the borough. Specific dimensional standards have been set, such as a maximum building height of 60 feet and a 500-foot setback from residential and certain other zoning districts. Noise, vibration, water, sewer, and power supply standards are also detailed. During the public hearing, resident Vanessa Smith expressed her hope that a data center would "never get one" in the borough, to which Vice Chairman John Morgan responded that while the borough cannot discriminate, it can protect its interests. The full ordinance is accessible on the Exeter Borough website.