Montgomery Township advances data center ordinance for planning review
Montgomery Township has authorized a draft ordinance for review by planning commissions to regulate future data center development. The proposed rules would permit data centers only in the Limited Industrial zoning district and impose extensive operational and environmental requirements. Officials emphasized this is a proactive measure, with no data center applications currently submitted.
Montgomery Township supervisors have advanced a draft ordinance to regulate potential data center development, sending it for review by the township and county planning commissions. The move comes after supervisors declared the municipality's current zoning ordinance substantively invalid regarding data center use and directed staff to prepare new regulations.
Under the proposed ordinance, data centers would only be permitted in the township's Limited Industrial zoning district and would face stringent operational and environmental requirements. Officials considered reducing a residential setback from 1,000 feet to 450 feet to avoid an overly restrictive ordinance that could be challenged under Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code. Solicitor Sean Kilkenny advised that municipalities must provide for legitimate land uses within their borders.
The draft ordinance includes provisions addressing noise levels, water consumption, wastewater disposal, thermal impacts, and decommissioning plans. Township leaders reiterated that no data center applications have been filed, framing the ordinance as a proactive measure to protect residents while adhering to state law. The proposal will undergo planning commission review before returning to the supervisors for public comment and potential advertisement.