Wayne Township talks zoning, data centers
Wayne Township supervisors discussed a proposed Erie County amendment to its Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) that would impose new restrictions on data centers. These proposed rules, including limits on height, noise, setbacks, and mandates for environmental and resource studies, would apply to municipalities without their own SALDO zoning laws, like Wayne Township. Residents have also expressed general concern about potential data center projects in the area.
At a recent Wayne Township meeting, local supervisors deliberated a proposed amendment to Erie County's Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) specifically targeting data center development. The amendment, circulated to municipalities lacking their own SALDO zoning laws such as Wayne and Concord townships, seeks to establish a standardized set of restrictions for data centers. These proposed regulations include a maximum building height of 60 feet, a 200-foot setback from residential areas with mandatory landscape buffers, and noise limits capped at 67 decibels on weekdays and 57 decibels during evenings and weekends.
The proposed law also mandates extensive pre-construction studies on environmental impact, water availability, and power supply to ensure local utilities can support new facilities without adversely affecting residents. Additionally, it requires pre-approved emergency response plans and vetted decommissioning/financial plans. Although no specific data center projects are currently filed in Wayne Township, residents have voiced general disapproval and concern regarding potential future developments.
During the meeting, Township Supervisor Mark Sander also responded to a request from the Erie County Redevelopment Authority (RDA) for a list of "brown zones" or derelict industrial sites within Wayne Township, intended for prospective industrial development. Sander and other supervisors expressed that it was not their responsibility to define these sites, stating the RDA should determine its own criteria.