Penn Twp. supervisors to advertise data center ordinance limiting buildings’ locations

The Penn Township Board of Supervisors recently voted unanimously to advertise a new data center ordinance, aiming to regulate where these facilities can be built within the township. The proposed ordinance would restrict data centers to commercial/light industrial or industrial zoning districts, requiring developers to obtain a special exception for construction. According to Township Manager Mark Heister, the current lack of specific regulations means a developer could propose a data center anywhere. The new ordinance defines data centers broadly and mandates detailed application requirements, including a water utilization report, energy management, emergency response, noise mitigation, electronic waste, and thermal impact mitigation plans. Supervisor Joseph Eisenhauer expressed confidence in the ordinance, stating it "protects the public, it’s not anything I think would be challenged legally, and it makes sense." Heister noted that the township had received a single inquiry from a company about building a data center several months prior, but no specific proposals have materialized. Township staff's primary goal is to control the location of data centers, rather than to oppose or support their presence outright. The board of supervisors is scheduled to hold another meeting on Monday, April 13, to continue discussions.