Manheim Borough looks to have data center regulations in place by end of October
Manheim Borough Council is advancing draft amendments to its zoning ordinance to establish regulations for data centers, allowing them as a conditional use in certain industrial zones. These amendments also include changes to subdivision and land development, with council aiming to take action on the ordinance by an Oct. 27 meeting after planning commission reviews. Currently, no specific data center plans have been submitted to the borough.
Manheim Borough Council is progressing with plans to implement new regulations for data centers within the municipality. During an August 11 meeting, the council authorized Borough Manager Joel Mutschler, engineer Ben Craddock of Lancaster Civil Engineering, and borough solicitor Dan Becker of Kozloff Stoudt Attorneys to finalize proposed amendments to the borough’s zoning ordinance and its subdivision and land development ordinance.
The proposed zoning changes would designate data centers as a conditional use within the Industrial and Planned Industrial/Corporate Center (PC-1) zones. Additionally, the amendments address park and recreation fees, street reconstruction requirements for new developments, and updates to curbing/sidewalk standards. These draft amendments are slated for review by both the Manheim Borough Planning Commission and the Lancaster County Planning Commission.
According to Manager Mutschler, the borough has not yet received any specific proposals for data center projects. Following the planning commissions' reviews, the ordinance will be advertised, and the council aims to take final action on it at its October 27 meeting.