Londonderry supervisors set June hearing for Data Center Overlay, include former Par‑Line parcel

Chairman Ron Kopp and the Londonderry Township Board of Supervisors agreed April 16 to advertise a public hearing for Ordinance 2025‑02, a proposed Data Center Overlay, and to use Map A — a version that includes the former Par‑Line property now owned by the Hershey Soccer Club. The public hearing is scheduled for June 2, 2025.

Township Manager David Blechertas presented the request to advertise the ordinance text. Codes and Zoning Officer Duane Brady explained there are two proposed maps: Map A includes the Hershey Soccer Club parcel and Map B does not. Brady said the Hershey Soccer Club parcel totals 184.87 acres, with roughly 300 feet zoned C‑2 along its frontage and the remainder in an agricultural zone and agricultural overlay. Brady also noted the parcel contains two MET ED powerlines and a regional AT&T fiber optic line, which proponents say makes the site attractive for data‑center use. "There are two powerlines ... and a regional fiber optic line owned by AT&T," Brady said, and described how the overlay would treat data centers differently by zone (data centers in R‑2, Agriculture and Planning & Research would be conditional uses; C‑2 and I‑1 would allow by‑right development).

Anthony Potter, an attorney who identified himself as president of the Hershey Soccer Club, urged inclusion of the parcel in the overlay. "The attraction of a data center on the parcel is that it is a low impact use and will create high revenue," Potter said, while also noting the parcel is currently under a farming lease and that the club is pursuing sports uses in parallel.

The board debated mapping, zoning protections for adjacent homes (setbacks, sound and lighting), wetlands on the parcel and utility access. After discussion, Bart Shellenhamer moved and Mel Hershey seconded to advertise Ordinance 2025‑02 using Map A. The motion passed 4–1; Supervisors Mike Geyer, Bart Shellenhamer, Mel Hershey and Anna Dale voted yes, and Chairman Ron Kopp voted no, citing the preservation of farmland.

Why it matters: the map choice determines which properties are eligible for streamlined data‑center development and which would trigger conditional‑use review. Township officials said staff will notify all affected property owners and that the solicitor will update map keys and color contrast before formal advertisement.

Next steps: the board will hold a public hearing on June 2, 2025, where residents and stakeholders can testify on Ordinance 2025‑02 and the selected map. No final land‑use approvals were made at the April 16 meeting.