County planners flag noise, water and legal concerns in review of Londonderry data‑center rules and developer curative amendment
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Summary
Dauphin County staff reviewed Londonderry Township's draft data‑center overlay ordinance and a developer's curative amendment, raised concerns about noise, water consumption and clarity in the ordinance, and recommended edits; the commission authorized sending those staff comments to the township.
Dauphin County planning staff told the commission on Feb. 2 that they reviewed Londonderry Township’s draft overlay ordinance for data centers and a developer‑filed curative amendment and will transmit formal comments urging clearer provisions on noise, water use and public‑service impacts.
Jerry, a county planner, said the township’s ordinance is “pretty thorough” but identified several provisions staff thinks need improvement, particularly related to noise limits and water‑consumption and public‑service impacts. Jerry said staff would provide comments intended to “enhance both ordinances” so the township can address concerns before final adoption.
The planner also described a developer’s curative amendment, saying, “There is a developer who is out there who has filed a curative amendment against the township in light of the actions that the township does not have on the ordinance,” and that staff reviewed both the township draft and the developer’s materials and prepared comments on each.
Commissioners pressed staff on regulatory limits and the legal framework. Jerry noted that conditional or contract zoning — tying a zoning change to a single, specific plan — is not permitted under Pennsylvania law, citing the Municipalities Planning Code (MPC). He told commissioners a rezoning cannot be made conditional on a single developer’s proposal.
The commission voted to authorize staff to send the prepared comment letters to Londonderry Township on both the data‑center overlay ordinance and the curative amendment, with staff recommendations intended to clarify noise standards, specify expectations around water usage and public‑service impacts, and resolve ambiguities the county identified.
Next steps: Staff will transmit the comment letters to Londonderry Township and the commission will receive updates if the township revises the ordinance or if the curative amendment proceeds through municipal or court channels.