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Findlay planners review draft data-center regulations, raise concerns about noise, water and fire suppression
Summary
Planning staff presented a model-based draft ordinance for data centers; commissioners requested stronger buffers, clearer noise and water requirements, and more coordination with the fire department on suppression and hazardous-material risks. Staff will return with a revised draft.
Planning staff presented a draft ordinance on Feb. 24 that would regulate data centers as a conditional use in Findlay Township92s Light and Heavy Industrial zoning districts; the draft is based on a model ordinance provided by PennFuture.
Assistant Manager Brandon Stanick reviewed proposed definitions, dimensional standards, and a list of sensitive receptors (residences, schools, day cares, care facilities, hospitals, parks and other community uses). The draft presented suggested allowing a maximum building height up to 60 feet (including rooftop equipment) and described potential setbacks ranging from a 200-foot minimum from sensitive receptors to more stringent distances used by other jurisdictions. Staff proposed wider landscape bufferyards (25–40 feet) and a greater percentage of evergreens, screening where equipment is within 300 feet of a road or adjoining property, a photometric plan for lighting, and a requirement for a water feasibility study.
The draft also included draft noise limits and testing requirements; Stanick described a model provision that called for daytime maximums of about 67 dB(A) and weekend maximums of about 57 dB(A) and asked the commission whether that standard and the timing of sound studies (preliminary, interim and as-built) would be appropriate or unduly burdensome.
Commissioners expressed concern about noise and community impacts. Tim Cook said he had heard complaints in other areas about noise and increased electric costs and urged stronger, year-round vegetative buffers. Rade Opacic said the township should be receptive to data center development but require buffers and height limits and asked whether cooling needs would overburden local water supplies. Ken Faux questioned how sound studies could be performed accurately before construction and whether sound walls were an acceptable mitigation. Lieutenant Neil Cridge relayed the Imperial Volunteer Fire Department92s concerns about what type of fire suppression would be installed, including systems that reduce oxygen and the risk that a fire might create a hazardous-material incident in the building.
Stanick said he would take the commission92s feedback and prepare a revised ordinance for further review, including potential requirements for emergency response coordination with the Imperial Volunteer Fire Department.
