Union Township board passes data center ordinance, tables short-term rental rules
The Union Township Board of Supervisors in Lebanon County, PA, unanimously passed an ordinance making it more difficult to build data centers in the township's industrial park zone. Developers will now need special exceptions from the zoning hearing board and must comply with specific conditions. This action addresses general concerns about noise, water consumption, environmental issues, and power utility rates associated with data centers.
The Union Township Board of Supervisors in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, unanimously approved an ordinance on Wednesday that significantly tightens regulations for data center development within the township's industrial park zone. The new rules, passed 3-0, will require any proposed data center to obtain a special exception from the zoning hearing board and adhere to specific conditions before receiving approval. According to board president Kerry McCrary, the ordinance is designed to prevent developers from easily converting abandoned warehouses into data centers within the township.
Township solicitor Paul Bametzreider explained that the ordinance aims to give the township more control over data center proposals, making it more challenging for developers to proceed. The move comes amid broader national concerns about data centers' noise, water consumption, environmental impacts, and strain on power utilities.
Separately, the board tabled a controversial ordinance concerning short-term rentals after strong objections from residents and board member Stephen Lum, who criticized regulatory overreach and unannounced inspection provisions. That ordinance will be reconsidered at the next meeting or require rewriting.