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Council approves zoning code updates, data‑center height amendment and several rezonings in June 2 meeting
Summary
York County Council approved a set of zoning and land‑use items on June 2: an update to the Transportation Corridor Preservation Overlay, a text amendment allowing taller data‑center buildings with increased setbacks, and multiple rezoning requests. Most items passed on second or first reading as noted.
At its June 2 meeting York County Council approved several zoning and land‑use measures, including a transportation corridor overlay update, a text amendment to allow greater building height for data centers with trade‑off setbacks, and multiple rezoning approvals.
Transportation corridor preservation overlay: Council held second reading on an ordinance updating Chapter 155 to remove completed Penny project corridors and add projects from Penny's 5. Planning staff said the overlay prevents new structures in near‑term funded right‑of‑way corridors and only applies to unincorporated parcels. The ordinance passed second reading unanimously.
Data center height amendment: Council approved second reading of a zoning text amendment to allow data centers up to 80 feet in height provided side and rear setbacks increase by 2 feet for each additional 1 foot of height over the district maximum (for example: 20 feet of extra height requires 40 feet extra setback). Staff said rooftop equipment such as parapets and limited mechanical arrays are exempted from the height calculation. Planning Commission recommended approval 6–0; council approved the measure unanimously.
Rezoning cases: Council considered and approved multiple rezoning matters on first reading, including: - Case 25‑12 (Tax map 6390000153): UD to LI, ~3.8 acres in District 5 to make an existing trucking/vehicle‑repair operation conforming; approved first reading unanimously. - Case 25‑13 (tax map 4460000065): GC to RUD, 0.68 acres in District 3 to accommodate subdivision entrance (Holler Estates); approved first reading unanimously. - Case 25‑15 (tax map 4570000012): RSF‑40 to AGC, 10.72 acres in District 2 (applicant proposes agricultural uses and a second duplex/unit); approved first reading unanimously. - Case 25‑16 (tax map 3860000007): RSF‑40 to AGC, 14.49 acres in District 2 to align multiple estate parcels in common zoning; approved first reading unanimously. - Case 25‑18 (tax map 7210000027): UD to LI, 5.73 acres in District 7 to recognize an existing warehouse/distribution facility and permit outdoor storage; approved first reading unanimously.
Planning staff told council that most rezoning requests were consistent with future land‑use designations and that Planning Commission recommended approval in each instance.
Why it matters: The zoning text amendment for data centers reflects changing technology and market demand; the overlay update protects near‑term roadway projects from new construction that would interfere with planned right‑of‑way. The rezonings regularize existing uses or align parcels with future land‑use recommendations.
What’s next: Several items were approved on first or second reading and will return for subsequent readings as required by the ordinance schedule.
