Buffalo Township PA Drafts Data Center Ordinance Rules
Buffalo Township is drafting its first data center ordinance after imposing a moratorium that expires in February 2027. The proposed rules are intended to address noise, screening, setbacks and other impacts before the moratorium ends, with review by the Butler County Planning Commission and adoption anticipated by December.
Buffalo Township supervisors are developing regulations for proposed data centers under a moratorium imposed in August 2026. The six-month pause expires in February 2027 and gives officials time to establish rules governing issues such as noise, buffering, screening and potential exceptions for uses not specifically covered by the ordinance. The draft was sent to the Butler County Planning Commission for review on Oct. 14, with adoption expected by December.
The township’s effort follows similar actions by other Pennsylvania municipalities, including Butler, Upper Burrell and Hazle townships. Regional concerns include the large electricity demands of proposed facilities, extensive water use for cooling and persistent noise from equipment and backup generators. Those concerns have prompted public opposition to a separate Dynamo DC proposal in Springdale, where residents focused on noise and pollution from 124 proposed diesel generators.