East Rockhill Supervisors adopt data center ordinance
East Rockhill Township supervisors unanimously approved an ordinance regulating data centers in the township’s Industrial 1 and Industrial 2 districts near Pennridge Airport. The rules establish conditional-use requirements, limits on building size, setbacks and noise, and safeguards for groundwater, utilities, emergency planning and decommissioning.
The East Rockhill Board of Supervisors approved a revised data center ordinance after months of changes prompted by residents’ concerns about noise, groundwater extraction and other potential impacts. The ordinance makes data centers a conditional use in the township’s Industrial 1 and Industrial 2 zoning districts near Pennridge Airport, requiring a minimum 50-acre lot, a 35-foot height limit, substantial setbacks and noise studies.
The regulations also require applicants proposing on-site water use to complete water-resource impact studies and provide financial security for potential damage to neighboring wells. Other provisions address electricity and utility use, fire safety, emergency plans, environmental impacts, construction hours and facility decommissioning. Resident Mark Ezzo sought stronger protections for affected wells and wildlife, while Board Chairman Dave Nyman said the supervisors incorporated public feedback and could amend the ordinance in the future.