Central PA board of supervisors approve data center ordinance with restrictions
Swatara Township, Pennsylvania, Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance restricting data center development, including height and sound levels. Following this, a developer presented a modified plan for a data center at the former Dauphin Highlands golf course to the Planning Commission, aiming to comply with the new rules. The community has expressed concerns about the project's impact.
The Swatara Township Board of Supervisors in central Pennsylvania recently approved an ordinance imposing restrictions on data centers, specifically limiting building height and setting parameters for sound levels. This action followed community discussions where residents expressed concerns regarding the potential impact of new data center developments.
Following the ordinance's approval, a developer presented a revised plan for a data center project, proposed for the site of the former Dauphin Highlands golf course. The developer stated that the plan was shrunk and modified to adhere to the newly enacted restrictions, promising structures between 30 to 35 feet tall, technology to muffle sound, and sufficient space for landscaping to protect natural scenery.
The presentation took place at a Swatara Township Planning Commission meeting, which is an initial step in the approval process. A public meeting is scheduled for October, allowing residents to ask questions and voice further concerns before the plans are presented again to the Planning Commission for a decision. Community members present at the meeting reiterated their hesitancy and emphasized the need for safeguards to protect local residents.