Butler planners to begin work on data center rules June 1
The Butler Township Planning Commission will begin drafting a curative amendment to its data center zoning ordinance on June 1. This action follows a decision by township supervisors who declined an earlier amendment but granted the commission 180 days to draft a new one. During this period, the township will not accept new data center applications.
The Butler Township Planning Commission is set to commence drafting new zoning regulations for data centers on June 1. The initial session will focus on creating a curative amendment to the existing zoning ordinance, addressing potential future data center developments within the township.
This initiative stems from a May 12 meeting where the township supervisors opted not to adopt a previously proposed curative amendment. Instead, they allocated up to 180 days for the planning commission to formulate a comprehensive ordinance. Throughout this interim period, Butler Township has enacted a temporary halt on accepting new applications from firms interested in constructing data centers, a measure intended to safeguard the township against potential legal challenges related to its zoning framework.
Although the township has yet to receive any formal data center development applications, NorthPoint Development, a Kansas City-based firm, holds a significant land interest in Butler Township, owning 573 acres. NorthPoint Development is also known for its plans to build the 'Project Hazelnut' data center in neighboring Hazle Township, indicating a regional interest in data center infrastructure.