Pine Township approves data center zoning ordinance; changes expected
Pine Township supervisors unanimously approved a zoning ordinance regulating data centers after more than 60 residents attended a hearing and raised concerns about setbacks, noise, water use and air discharges. No data center application has been filed in the township, and supervisors plan to fine-tune the ordinance through additional public hearings.
Pine Township supervisors in Mercer County unanimously adopted an ordinance governing future data center development after a heavily attended public hearing. More than 60 residents voiced concerns about property-line setbacks, noise limits, water use and air discharges, with Lisa Johnson, an attorney for the Citizens’ Environmental Association of the Slippery Rock Area, arguing that the rules may not adequately protect residents.
Supervisor Todd Spears said the ordinance was adopted to prevent a data center from proceeding without local regulations, while acknowledging that the township intends to revise and refine the rules. Pennsylvania law limits the use of formal data center moratoriums, but allows municipalities to establish regulations through a curative amendment process. No data center application has been submitted in Pine Township; separate projects proposed in nearby Sharon remain subject to state and federal environmental approvals.