West Hempfield Township in Lancaster County addresses data center rumors
West Hempfield Township in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, is addressing rumors about a data center at the former QVC property. While an inquiry was made about permitting, no application has been submitted. The township has initiated a curative amendment process to address zoning gaps and is seeking state legislation to allow for temporary moratoriums on data center development.
West Hempfield Township in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, is actively addressing rumors about a potential data center development at the former QVC property on Stony Battery Road. Township Manager Andrew Stern clarified that although the property owner, identified as A Holding LLC (linked to online retailer Saudia), inquired about the permitting process for a data center, no formal application has been submitted, nor have any approvals been granted. Officials are uncertain which specific data center company, if any, is behind the inquiry, though Saudia had previously made a bid to redevelop Columbia's McGuinness Innovation Park into a data center campus.
In response to public concern and existing gaps in zoning regulations, the West Hempfield Township Supervisors initiated a "curative amendment process" on July 7th. This 180-day process aims to update zoning ordinances, involving reviews by county and township planning bodies before a public hearing and potential adoption in September. The township is unable to impose its own moratorium but is actively advocating for state legislation that would empower municipalities to enact temporary pauses on data center construction. The municipality has created a dedicated section on its website to provide residents with up-to-date information.