No expansion? Bear Creek Twp. may restrict data centers to current industrial zone
Bear Creek Township supervisors are considering an ordinance that would restrict data centers to the township's existing 66-acre industrial zone instead of expanding it. The potential expansion has drawn strong opposition from residents, and a special voting meeting is scheduled for Oct. 15.
After months of opposition from residents, Bear Creek Township supervisors voted to consider limiting data center development to the existing 66 acres zoned for industrial use. The township had previously considered expanding the district to about 534 acres along the Route 115 and Pennsylvania Turnpike corridor, including many residential parcels.
Supervisors indicated they may reject the expansion, although an alternate ordinance adding some properties remains under consideration before an Oct. 15 special voting meeting. Residents, including Brian Marion and Don Conyngham, urged officials to keep the industrial zone at its current size, while municipal planner Andrew Schwartz warned that overly restrictive zoning could expose the township to legal challenges for failing to accommodate a lawful use.