Butler Township planning commission discusses data center regulations
The Butler Township Planning Commission discussed a curative amendment to regulate data centers, following a resolution by the board of supervisors deeming current zoning invalid for not addressing data centers. The proposed ordinance, now 35 pages long, includes detailed standards for groundwater protection, electricity demands, and noise. No official recommendation was made, as further revisions based on public comment are planned.
The Butler Township Planning Commission held a meeting to discuss a curative amendment aimed at regulating data centers within the community. The township's board of supervisors had previously approved a resolution on May 12, declaring portions of the existing zoning ordinance invalid due to its failure to define or address data centers. This resolution mandated the township to draft and adopt a new curative amendment within 180 days.
Attorney Sean Logsdon, representing the Planning Commission, explained that the revised ordinance, initially eight pages, has expanded to 35 pages to be "substantially more comprehensive." The updated draft incorporates detailed standards addressing various concerns, including groundwater protection, water consumption, mine subsidence, abandoned mine lands, utility infrastructure, electricity demands, and noise. Logsdon clarified that the amendment's purpose is not to prohibit data centers but to ensure the township possesses the strongest, legally defensible ordinance should a data center ever be proposed, as no applications have been submitted to date.
While most public comments praised the ordinance, State Rep. Jamie Walsh, who has vocally opposed data center development, urged the commission to include a community benefit agreement, similar to those adopted by other municipalities. Logsdon indicated this was still under consideration, weighing its appropriateness within either the zoning ordinance or a developer's agreement. The commission did not make an official recommendation, intending to incorporate additional revisions based on ongoing public feedback.