Southampton Township adopts stricter data center regulations

Southampton Township supervisors in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, unanimously approved new, stricter regulations for data center development during their Tuesday meeting. Ordinance 2026-02 repeals a previous 2,600-acre data center overlay, now permitting data centers only as conditional uses within approximately 700 acres of manufacturing districts. This move comes after an initial zoning request sparked public attention and prompted a review of existing rules.

The new ordinance significantly tightens requirements, including allowing buildings up to 100 feet, establishing 100- to 150-foot setbacks, and capping noise at 57 decibels near residential properties. It also mandates the use of public water, closed-loop or air-cooled cooling systems, utility-capacity letters, and comprehensive emergency response plans with first-responder training. Supervisor Scott Mack highlighted that the ordinance closes a critical regulatory gap by addressing previously unregulated on-site power generation.

Residents actively pushed for stronger protections, with Todd Crawley submitting recommendations from over 20 community members advocating for larger setbacks, stricter noise limits, environmental studies, and financially backed decommissioning plans. While the adopted ordinance incorporates many of these concerns, resident Howard Albrecht questioned the immediate vote without incorporating all proposed changes. Township Solicitor Richard Webber explained that incorporating further proposals would require additional planning reviews and hearings, a process that could take months, leaving the broader, less restrictive overlay in place during that time.