Lower Allen, Pennsylvania Development News

Lower Township Proposes New Ordinance to Regulate Data Centers, Shifting Permitted Locations and Adding Restrictions

The Lower Township Board of Commissioners held a public hearing to consider an ordinance amending Chapter 220 of the codified ordinances regarding zoning, specifically to regulate data centers. Currently, data centers are permitted uses in commercial and industrial districts (C2, C3, I1, I3). The proposed ordinance aims to shift data centers to a conditional use status exclusively within industrial zones (I1, I2, I3) and remove them from commercial districts (C2, C3). This change is intended to proactively manage the potential impact of data centers, given increased interest in the region, without outright banning them, as state law generally requires municipalities to allow lawful uses. The ordinance includes specific performance standards for noise (dBA and dBC levels), energy, groundwater usage, sewage disposal, decommissioning, and auxiliary power generation systems. Public comment was taken, with concerns raised about noise, environmental impact, water usage, and potential disregard for regulations by large companies. The board acknowledged these concerns and emphasized the ordinance's role in providing greater oversight and community input through the conditional use process.