East Hanover Township Moves Forward with Data Center Zoning Ordinance
East Hanover Township supervisors unanimously approved rezoning a 45-acre parcel from residential to agricultural. Separately, the board agreed to advance an interim ordinance that would permit data centers as a special exception in industrial zones, with a public hearing scheduled for August to vote on its adoption. This ordinance aims to address issues like water usage and noise.
The East Hanover Township Board of Supervisors on June 29 unanimously approved the rezoning of a 45-acre parcel on Jonestown Road from low-density residential to agricultural. The property owner, Chad Shuey, petitioned for the change, citing the unsustainability of crop farming alone and indicating consideration for constructing chicken houses. Residents raised concerns during a March public hearing about potential runoff, odors, and water usage from chicken farming. The board's decision allows various agricultural uses on the property, subject to zoning requirements including stormwater management.
In a distinct action, the supervisors also unanimously agreed to move forward with the adoption of an interim ordinance specifically concerning data centers. This proposed ordinance would allow data centers as a special exception exclusively in the industrial zoning district, mandating a minimum lot size of 10 acres. A public hearing is scheduled for August, at which time the board may vote on the ordinance's adoption. The township's planning commission is actively reviewing data center ordinances from other municipalities to legislate details such as water usage and noise, aiming to establish temporary regulations to confine potential data center developments to industrial areas.