Data center developments at standstill
A proposed data center in Granville Township is currently on hold after its major traffic impact conditional use application was rejected by the solicitor. The township plans to revise its data center ordinance to address community needs, requiring any resubmitted application to comply with the updated regulations. Residents have expressed concerns about the ordinance and township transparency.
A proposed data center development in Granville Township, Pennsylvania, has reached a standstill following the rejection of its major traffic impact conditional use application by solicitor Fred Lighty. Mr. Lighty confirmed to The Sentinel that developers have not responded since the rejection letter was issued, and any appeal would take up to 60 days.
In response, Mr. Lighty is drafting a revised data center ordinance for the township, which would require developers to comply with new regulations if they resubmit their application. He noted that the current application lacks essential 'will-serve' letters for water and electricity. While current revisions are minor, residents have expressed interest in discussing potential amendments to the ordinance.
Separately, the township supervisors appointed Timothy Plank as the new zoning officer for Granville Township, replacing Mary Herto, whose reappointment faced public opposition last month. Residents, including Nate Fisher, also raised concerns about township transparency after a scheduled Planning Commission meeting was canceled without clear communication. Supervisors are also considering rotating meeting times to improve public access, with Mr. Lighty indicating willingness to accommodate a rotating schedule starting next year.