West Donegal Township advances zoning change to regulate data centers
The West Donegal Township Board of Supervisors agreed to send a proposed zoning ordinance change regarding data centers to township and county planning commissions for review. This ordinance aims to define data center locations and establish rules for noise, water use, energy consumption, and buffering. The decision is an early step, with further review and a public hearing pending.
The West Donegal Township Board of Supervisors has moved forward with a proposed amendment to its zoning ordinance aimed at regulating data centers. During a July 13 meeting, supervisors agreed to submit the draft ordinance to both the West Donegal Township and Lancaster County planning commissions for their mandated 45-day review period. The proposed regulations are based on a similar ordinance recently adopted by Penn Township, which outlines permitted locations for data centers and sets rules for aspects such as noise, water usage, energy consumption, emergency planning, and buffering.
Township Manager John Yoder indicated that West Donegal's ordinance would incorporate comparable provisions, tailored to the specific needs and laws of the township, including definitions for data centers and their accessory uses. Although an initial motion included permission to advertise the ordinance for a public hearing in September, supervisors unanimously voted to remove this, with Chair Roger Snyder expressing a desire for further review by the board before a public hearing is scheduled. After planning commission reviews, the ordinance will return to the supervisors for additional consideration before it can proceed to a public hearing.