More Delaware County communities address data center zoning
Multiple townships in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, including Tinicum, Marple, Newtown, and Concord, are proposing or revising zoning ordinances to regulate data center development. These proposals address issues like environmental impact studies, water usage, noise, and decommissioning. The changes are currently being reviewed by the Delaware County Planning Commission.
Several municipalities in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, are actively pursuing changes to their zoning ordinances to regulate data center development, reflecting a broader concern across the state regarding the impact of these facilities. Tinicum, Marple, and Newtown townships have submitted plans to the Delaware County Planning Commission for review, while Concord Township recently held a public meeting on its own proposed ordinance.
Marple Township's proposed 23-page ordinance, which is expected to be reviewed by its board on September 14, outlines extensive requirements for data centers. These include restricting facilities to industrial light industrial zoning districts, mandating a minimum 2-acre lot with 1,000-foot setbacks, and requiring proper fencing and landscaping. The ordinance also stipulates that applicants must perform Environmental, Traffic, and Economic Impact Studies, adhere to strict noise and vibration restrictions (especially overnight), and demonstrate an adequate water supply while prohibiting open-loop evaporative cooling systems due to intensive water consumption. Additionally, the proposal calls for mitigation and monitoring of backup power generation impacts, a Long-Term Site Master Plan, and detailed guidelines for decommissioning or upgrading facilities. The full impact of recent statewide data center development regulations tightened by Governor Josh Shapiro on these local proposals remains unclear.