Lancaster City Council votes to pass amendment to regulate data centers
The Lancaster City Council voted to pass an amendment to its zoning ordinance to regulate future data center development, reducing potential sites from 200 to 16. The amendment allows two currently approved data center projects to proceed while addressing resident concerns about noise, water, and electricity. Residents expressed strong opposition to the ongoing projects, advocating for their pause.
The Lancaster City Council has approved an amendment to its zoning ordinance, significantly tightening regulations on future data center development within the city. The vote, which took place on Tuesday night, reduces the number of potential sites for data centers from 200 to just 16 parcels.
The amended ordinance clarifies that two data center projects, previously approved before June 24 at 216 Greenfield Road and 1375 Harrisburg Pike, will be permitted to continue. These projects were negotiated under a community benefits agreement between former Mayor Danene Sorace's administration and Chirisa Technology Parks. The agreement includes provisions for noise mitigation and annual air quality reports, with the facilities slated to use air cooling and a closed-loop water system.
Despite the regulatory changes for future developments, residents attending the meeting voiced strong opposition to the ongoing projects, citing concerns about noise and water pollution, as well as the potential strain on the city's electrical grid. One resident highlighted that the two data centers could consume as much energy annually as the entire city of Lancaster. Council members acknowledged the limitations on banning such uses outright under Pennsylvania law, stating the new ordinance is the strongest regulatory action possible at the municipal level to protect residents while still allowing for some development under strict conditions.