Granville Township supervisors reject data center application, caution against ordinance
The Granville Township Board of Supervisors rejected a data center application due to a missing certification for a traffic study. This decision follows significant local opposition, driven by concerns about noise pollution and water usage. Supervisors also cautioned the developer about a recently enacted ordinance that imposes new restrictions on data center development in the area.
The Granville Township Board of Supervisors in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, rejected an application for a proposed data center, citing the developer's failure to provide a required certification for a traffic study. This decision comes after weeks of discussions and significant community pushback against the project.
Local residents have voiced strong concerns regarding potential noise pollution and excessive water usage associated with the data center. A petition opposing the development garnered over 1,400 signatures in late May.
Furthermore, the developer was informed about a recently enacted Zoning Ordinance 2026-02, which introduces new restrictions for data centers. These restrictions include a minimum tract size of 20 acres, a gross building coverage of at least 50%, a maximum height of 70 feet, landscape buffer requirements, a prohibition on private groundwater use, and strict sound level limits (50 DBc at night, 60 DBc during the day).
Despite the rejection, supervisors indicated in a letter that the developer is welcome to re-file their application, with hearings for a possible re-submission expected to begin within 60 days.