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East Pennsboro outlines timeline for data-center zoning ordinance, highlights county webinar
Summary
Township staff said a draft zoning ordinance for data centers is being prepared for Planning Commission review with public meetings planned; the county is hosting a data-center webinar April 29 for public information. Commissioners aim for a board vote by July or August after public input and solicitor review.
East Pennsboro Township officials said they are drafting a zoning ordinance to regulate data centers and plan to circulate a formal draft to the Planning Commission for public review and comment. Staff told the board they are revising maps and definitions and reviewing model language to bring back for public meetings and Planning Commission recommendation.
The board set a tentative internal goal to seek a vote on the ordinance by July or August after public feedback and solicitor review; county review was also mentioned as part of the process. Township staff said the next step will include public discussion sessions before formal advertisement and action.
Commissioner Tyson urged residents to attend a county-hosted informational webinar about data centers on April 29, 2026, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., available by Zoom and YouTube. He described three key siting factors — fiber, electricity and water — and said modern data centers use closed-loop cooling that reduces water use. "Approximately 40% of every bit of data in the world goes through Loudoun County," he said, urging the public to learn how facilities operate and affect communities.
Why it matters: the ordinance would set local parameters for where data centers could locate and what site, water and infrastructure conditions would be required. The board stressed public meetings and Planning Commission input will factor into the final draft and that county-level discussion may inform local standards.
Next steps: staff will prepare the draft for Planning Commission review and a public meeting; the county webinar on April 29 is intended to provide background for residents before the township’s formal process proceeds.
