Data Center Dispute May Fracture Pennsylvania Regional Planning Compact

Douglass (Mont.) Township's Board of Supervisors is contemplating withdrawal from the Pottstown Metropolitan Regional Planning Commission, a multi-municipal planning effort spanning Montgomery and Chester counties, Pennsylvania. The potential departure stems from actions taken by North Coventry Township supervisors, another member of the compact. The conflict centers on North Coventry's decision to commission a study evaluating Douglass Township's zoning related to data centers. This was done to determine if Douglass provides sufficient opportunity for data center development, potentially allowing North Coventry to avoid providing for such use under multi-municipal planning laws. Douglass officials, including Chairman Joshua Stouch, expressed surprise and anger, stating they were not consulted and that the study's conclusions about available land for data centers in Douglass were incorrect. The unannounced study caused 'panic' among Douglass residents. The dispute follows North Coventry's rejection of a "boutique" data center proposal in February after public reaction. In response to the ongoing fallout, North Coventry has now voted to craft its own data center zoning ordinance. Douglass Township has halted communications with North Coventry, pending an answer to an extensive Right to Know request. Stouch indicated that Douglass Township feels it is gaining little from the regional planning committee and does not want to absorb data centers for other towns. The withdrawal of Douglass could jeopardize the regional committee's newly updated comprehensive plan, which requires adoption by all member municipalities.