Salem Twp. pauses new data center projects pending zoning amendment
Salem Township supervisors have enacted a temporary pause on new data center and other major energy projects by initiating a "curative amendment" process for their zoning ordinance. This action aims to establish new regulations for data centers, such as setbacks and sound deadening, over the next four to six months. During this period, new applications will not be accepted, though existing projects are unaffected.
Salem Township supervisors have voted 3-0 to implement a temporary halt on new applications for data centers and other major energy projects. The measure, which solicitor Tony McDonald stressed is not a moratorium due to Pennsylvania law prohibiting such actions on data centers, involves declaring part of the township's zoning ordinance invalid regarding data center regulations.
This action invokes a legal protection allowing the township to develop a "curative amendment" to its zoning ordinance. The amendment process is expected to take four to six months, during which no new applications will be accepted. The goal is to establish clear regulations for data centers, including setbacks, building height, and sound deadening, which are currently absent from the ordinance. The new rules will not affect projects for which applications have already been submitted, including an existing Amazon data center, the QTS Salem data center project, and two other unnamed data center developments.
In related news, Zoning and Code Enforcement Officer brian Rhone and sewer authority officials met with QTS Salem to discuss the route for a sewer main to the data center campus along Stone Church Road. David Farhat, director of development for QTS, confirmed the company has agreed to cover all associated costs for improvements and connections for approximately 26 affected residents.