Error in public notice forces Ephrata Twp. supervisors to table hearing on data center zoning amendment

Ephrata Township supervisors were compelled to postpone a public hearing on a proposed zoning amendment that seeks to regulate data center development within the township. The hearing, initially slated for April 7, has been rescheduled for May 5. Township Manager Steve Sawyer confirmed that the delay was a result of an error in the public notice, which incorrectly stated "Monday April 7" instead of the correct "Tuesday April 7." The township's solicitor, Tony Schimaneck, advised that the public notice must be readvertised for two consecutive weeks, as required by state law. The proposed amendment aims to introduce safeguards against the potential impacts of data centers, outlining requirements for visual and audio screening barriers to mitigate noise, establishing maximum sound levels for day and night, and addressing environmental issues such as water usage. Should the amendment pass, Ephrata Township would become the second municipality in Lancaster County, following Manor Township, to include data center regulations in its zoning ordinance. Sawyer clarified that this proactive measure is not driven by any immediate development proposals, stating, "We currently don't have any data centers or developers looking to put a data center in our township. There's no pressing plan or proposal in front of us."