East Cocalico supervisors take a proactive approach, discuss ordinances to prevent data centers

The East Cocalico Township Board of Supervisors held a meeting on April 2 to discuss a proactive approach to prevent data center development within the township. Citing a significant increase in proposed data centers countywide, Chairman Lorenzo Bonura expressed concerns about their potential to consume vast amounts of land, water, and electricity. Bonura aims to create ordinances that make it challenging for data centers to locate in East Cocalico, noting that neighboring Ephrata Township is also addressing the issue. Supervisors, including Jeffrey Mitchell and Daniel Burton, voiced that data centers are not a good fit for the community due to the burden on infrastructure. Township solicitor Victoria Storz urged expediting the ordinance updates before any data center proposals emerge. The board voted to have the solicitor and staff draft an amendment to the zoning ordinance, focusing on performance standards and criteria for data center use. The meeting also covered the approval of an ag security zone to preserve 75 acres of farmland and the unanimous decision to end the Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA) program, which was deemed no longer necessary given the high development interest in the township. Additionally, the board discussed strengthening ordinances to combat human trafficking, prompted by a letter from the Lancaster County District Attorney's office.