South Hanover Township to Hold Hearing on Proposed Data Center Overlay Zoning
South Hanover Township in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, will hold a public hearing on August 11, 2026, to discuss proposed zoning amendments. These amendments aim to establish a new Data Center Overlay District within the township's zoning ordinance. The proposed ordinance would define data center uses and set specific regulations for their development, including requirements for lot area, coverage, height, noise, environmental standards, and a bond.
The South Hanover Township Board of Supervisors in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, has scheduled a public hearing for August 11, 2026, at 6 p.m. to discuss a proposed zoning text and map amendment. This amendment, titled "AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF SOUTH HANOVER, DAUPHIN COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING ARTICLE 2 (DEFINITIONS), ARTICLE 3 (ZONING DISTRICTS), ESTABLISHING ARTICLE 22 (DATA CENTER OVERLAY) TO CREATE A DATA CENTER OVERLAY DISTRICT, AND AMENDING THE ZONING MAP TO INCLUDE CERTAIN LANDS WITHIN THE DATA CENTER OVERLAY DISTRICT," aims to establish a new Data Center Overlay (DCO) District.
The proposed ordinance includes definitions for "data center" and "data center accessory use," and outlines specific regulations for the DCO. These regulations cover lot area, width, yard, coverage, height, building façade standards, buffer and screening, noise, lighting and glare, environmental requirements, and off-street parking and loading. Additionally, it requires a bond for data centers. The full text of the proposed ordinance and an associated zoning map (Exhibit A) are available for public review at the South Hanover Township Municipal Building. A vote on the proposed amendments will immediately follow the public hearing during the regularly scheduled Board of Supervisors meeting on the same date.