Buffalo Township pauses data center proposals while it establishes an ordinance to deal with them
Buffalo Township Supervisors unanimously enacted a 180-day temporary moratorium on data center projects, despite having no current proposals. This pause allows the township to draft and adopt a comprehensive ordinance with specific guidelines and restrictions for future data center development. The proactive measure aims to prevent legal challenges stemming from a lack of current regulations.
Buffalo Township Supervisors have unanimously passed a temporary, 180-day moratorium on data center proposals, effectively halting any new projects for the next six months. The decision was made to allow the township sufficient time to research, draft, and adopt a specific ordinance governing data center development within its boundaries.
Township Solicitor Brian D. Farrington explained that the moratorium is a crucial step to address the recent surge of data center developments in other communities, which often left municipalities unprepared with adequate zoning or land use rules. The lack of such regulations could potentially expose the township to "landowner curative amendments," where property owners could legally challenge development denials due to insufficient regulatory frameworks.
The 180-day period will be used to develop guidelines, restrictions, and gather community feedback on how data centers should be managed locally. This proactive approach by Buffalo Township mirrors similar actions taken by other municipalities in the Alle-Kiski Valley, including Allegheny Township, East Deer, Gilpin, and Oakmont, all striving to establish regulations ahead of potential data center proposals. Nearby major data center projects are reportedly underway or approved in Springdale, Upper Burrell, Homer City (Indiana County), and Shippingport (Beaver County).