Limerick moves to amend data center zoning

The Limerick Board of Supervisors voted 3-0 to direct the township solicitor to amend the data center zoning ordinance to increase protections for water and air pollution. The move came after hearing from nearly 20 speakers opposed to data center construction in the town. The existing "data center" overlay district affects about one-third of the properties in the "limited light industrial" district. A 1.4-million-square-foot data center proposal for 192 acres across from the Philadelphia Outlets was submitted under the current ordinance, and any changes will not apply to this project. However, an amended ordinance could affect future proposals, such as one for the former Publicker distillery site. State Senator Katie Muth criticized the "invasion of corporate interests" and said the state is not acting to protect the community, while a labor union representative argued data centers would create "thousands of good-paying jobs."