West Rockhill Supervisors continue refining third version of data center ordinance
West Rockhill Township Supervisors are continuing to refine the third version of their data center ordinance, incorporating recommendations from their planner, planning commission, and a citizens group. The revised ordinance addresses concerns about facility dimensions, water and electricity consumption, noise, and emergency planning. This comes as the township reviews its first formal data center application.
West Rockhill Township Supervisors are actively refining the third iteration of a data center ordinance, integrating input from various local stakeholders. At a recent meeting on September 16, the board reviewed proposals from the township's newly appointed planner, Thomas Comida, and the planning commission. This legislative effort follows the adoption of an initial ordinance in April and a second version in July, both aimed at establishing comprehensive regulations in response to community concerns.
The current draft builds on previous versions, which already introduced stricter provisions regarding minimum lot sizes, setbacks from residential areas, building height limits, and noise standards. Key additions in the latest version include mandatory water and electricity feasibility studies, a ban on groundwater or surface water extraction, and requirements for closed-loop water systems. Recommendations from a private citizens group, led by members Scott Riegel and Ashley Adams, have also been incorporated, focusing on emergency planning, noise mitigation, fire safety, and groundwater depletion.
Township planner Thomas Comida's suggestions include requiring data centers to connect to public water and sewer, expanding power feasibility studies to identify electricity sources and on-site renewable energy capacity, and establishing a 150-foot landscaping buffer. The Planning Commission, after reviewing inputs from Bucks County and Comida, urged the Supervisors to seek an external legal review by an attorney specializing in land-use or data center regulations before final adoption, to prevent potential liability issues.
The ongoing refinement is particularly relevant as the township is currently reviewing its first formal data center application for a proposed facility at 215 Cathill Road. During public comment, citizen group member Ashley Adams voiced concerns about building opacity, citing issues in Vineland, New Jersey, where concrete walls allegedly concealed unpermitted generators, emphasizing the need for regulations that ensure public visibility. The board directed township solicitor David Keightly to continue refining the ordinance for discussion at next month's meeting.