Townships say state law limits the ability to ban data centers as zoning debates grow
News Clip3:27FOX43 News·York County, PA·3/20/2026
Discussions about data center development are ongoing in south-central Pennsylvania, with local officials working to draft new rules amidst resident pushback. Townships are finding their ability to ban data centers limited by state law, focusing efforts instead on how to prepare for and regulate these facilities.
zoningoppositiongovernment
Gov: Pennsylvania State Government, York County, Local Township Governments
Discussions surrounding data center development have swept across south-central Pennsylvania over the last year, prompting pushback from residents while local officials work to draft new rules and protections.
But township leaders say even if communities are hesitant about the large-scale facilities, simply banning them isn’t an option under Pennsylvania law.
For months, local leaders across the region say they’ve been grappling with the same reality — the issue isn’t whether data centers will come to the area, but where they could be built and how communities prepare for them.
Read more here: https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/york-county/townships-say-state-law-limits-ability-to-ban-data-centers-as-zoning-debates-grow/521-a1f88396-a789-423f-99d9-82dbdb327d15
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