Lower Frederick adopts zoning rules for data centers, battery storage facilities
Lower Frederick Township in Pennsylvania has adopted new zoning ordinances for data centers and battery energy-storage facilities. These regulations establish conditional use requirements, setbacks, and detailed development and operational standards. The proactive measure addresses concerns about power demands, water usage, noise, and compatibility with surrounding areas.
The Lower Frederick Township Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a new ordinance on July 21, introducing comprehensive zoning regulations for data centers and battery energy-storage facilities. The ordinance, which had undergone review by the Lower Frederick Township Planning Commission and Montgomery County Planning Commission, establishes new land-use rules for these emerging industrial uses within the township's Limited Industrial (LI) Zoning District.
Key provisions of the ordinance include requiring facilities to be set back at least 200 feet from property lines and 100 feet from public roadways. Data centers and battery facilities will be permitted only as conditional uses, necessitating public hearings and direct approval from the Board of Supervisors for any proposed project. The regulations also detail extensive development and operational standards covering aspects such as building design, buffering, traffic access, environmental impacts, utility demands, water and sewer usage, electrical power supply, and emergency management.
Township officials, including Solicitor Peter Nelson, emphasized the proactive nature of the ordinance, noting growing interest in AI-powered data centers across the region. Discussions leading to the adoption addressed potential impacts on power grids, noise generation, traffic, and compatibility with surrounding residential areas. While no formal data center proposals have yet been submitted, supervisors expressed concern that the township's available industrially zoned land could make it an attractive target for developers. A resident inquiry about reviewing ordinances was addressed, and the supervisors approved the measure without opposition.