East Rockhill Supervisors advance revised data center ordinance

The East Rockhill Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the advertisement of a revised data center ordinance on September 22, moving the proposal closer to final adoption after months of changes. The ordinance, which has been reviewed by both township and Bucks County Planning Commissions, addresses resident concerns about potential impacts from data centers, including noise and groundwater usage. It will be advertised for 30 days before returning to the board for a final vote.

The proposed ordinance aims to establish data centers as a permitted use within the township's industrial zoning districts near Pennridge Airport, while simultaneously setting stringent standards. These include requirements for building dimensions, utility usage (prioritizing on-site electricity generation and public water hookups), and noise levels, with construction limited to Monday-Saturday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Township solicitor Will Oetinger noted that the ordinance, while preemptive in nature as no applications have been received, is legally defensible and incorporates updated definitions, well depletion protections, expanded environmental impact statement requirements, fire safety, emergency planning, and decommissioning provisions.

The latest draft specifies a 35-foot height limit for buildings (allowing for rooftop HVAC), a 50-decibel sound limit, and increased setbacks. Supervisor Jim Nietupski questioned the legal defensibility of these stricter standards, but Oetinger affirmed their robustness, stating the ordinance could be amended if necessary. Supervisor Dave Nyman emphasized that any future data center proposal would still require a conditional use hearing, allowing the board to impose further conditions to address resident concerns.

During public comment, resident Lisa Petruzzio advocated for mandatory closed-loop cooling systems and additional noise protections, referencing other municipalities' ordinances. Oetinger responded that a closed-loop requirement might be legally vulnerable, but suggested the board could condition reduced water use if a proposed plan showed excessive demand. The board opted to record Petruzzio's suggestions for future conditional use hearings, prioritizing the ordinance's timely adoption over further amendments that would cause delays.