Limerick continuing to update data center ordinance
Limerick Township is developing further updates to its data center ordinance as two proposed projects move through review under the township's existing zoning rules. Residents urged supervisors to impose stronger requirements for noise, pollution, lighting, vibration, utility protection and emergency planning.
Limerick Township officials are working on technical updates to the local data center ordinance, addressing issues such as industrial standards, vibration, emissions, glare and light pollution. Township engineer Khaled R. Hassan said the revisions are intended to prepare for future proposals, while two existing projects—the Project Laurel proposal near the Limerick Outlets and a project at the former Publicker distillery property in Linfield—will be reviewed under the ordinance in effect when they were submitted.
Residents speaking at the supervisors' meeting called for stronger protections, including measurable enforcement standards, cumulative pollution and noise controls, health impact studies, utility safeguards and separate review of any gas-fired power plants associated with data centers. The proposed ordinance language remains under development and will require review by the Montgomery County Planning Commission, public advertisement and a hearing before adoption.