Commission backs data-center ordinance review, urges refinements to South Hanover proposal
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Summary
Staff briefed the commission on South Hanover Township's proposed data-center overlay district and related local efforts. The commission said it is generally supportive but asked staff to press refinements around buildable area, setbacks, noise buffers, lighting, and state preemption risks.
Dauphin County planning staff told the commission that multiple municipalities, including South Hanover Township, are drafting ordinances to regulate data centers and that the commission generally supports local controls while recommending refinements.
Jerry, the county planning staff member reporting to the commission, said local governments are trying to define what a "data center" is and where it may be allowed. "If you don't define, then it can go anywhere," he said, describing why South Hanover and other communities are creating specific overlay language. Staff also described several recurring local concerns: ensuring there is adequate buildable area in designated districts, large setback requirements and minimum 300-foot buffer yards adjacent to existing residences, lighting and environmental standards that do not conflict with state rules, and practical questions about power, water and internet connectivity.
The commission noted that the overlay should not be so restrictive that it effectively outzones potential sites. "Are they being within that small area, excluding, are they making it not possible to build because they selected such a small area?" staff asked. Members discussed noise-mitigation strategies (setbacks and distance) and urged staff to confirm that security, emergency management, and state-level preemptions were handled consistently.
Staff said the commission's letter to South Hanover was supportive but recommended additional clarifications and a review to ensure the ordinance does not inadvertently prohibit all feasible sites. The commission voted to approve staff recommendations and asked staff to provide specific refinement language for consideration at a future meeting.
Why it matters: municipalities are increasingly considering data-center rules because of local impacts—power demand, water usage, noise, and communications infrastructure—and draft ordinances may limit or enable development depending on setback, buffer, and overlay design choices.
Next steps: staff will prepare suggested refinements and check for conflicts with state regulations before returning the recommended letter to the commission for formal sign-off.
