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Lehigh Township authorizes Planning Commission to draft data‑center zoning rules
Summary
Supervisors voted to authorize the Planning Commission to draft a standalone Data Center ordinance for expedited review, citing concerns about water and electric use; board members expect the work to take two–three months and to later fold the rules into the comprehensive zoning update.
The Lehigh Township Board of Supervisors on Jan. 27 authorized the Planning Commission to draft a standalone Data Center ordinance and expedite its review ahead of the full zoning overhaul.
Supervisor Cindy Miller said the Planning Commission and the Ad Hoc committee had included data‑center language in the new zoning code but asked that a targeted ordinance be developed quickly so the township can respond to potential proposals. "I wouldn’t expect it to take more than two or three months," Miller said.
Resident Tim Bartlett cautioned about utilities and environmental impacts, saying data centers "use a significant amount of water and it cannot be dumped back into the river because there are contaminants involved." Miller added that data centers also "use a lot of electricity" and sometimes site on‑lot generators when grid capacity is insufficient.
The board discussed likely siting constraints, noting data centers typically locate where public water, sewer and gas service exist and that some jurisdictions require very large tracts; local sites would likely be much smaller than 400 acres typical elsewhere. The Planning Commission was directed to consider water, wastewater and power impacts and return a draft ordinance for Board review; the motion to authorize drafting passed with all voting aye.
