Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Environmental topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents press supervisors to tighten data-center rules over water and noise concerns
Summary
During public comment and Planning Commission updates, residents urged the Honey Brook supervisors and planning staff to include enforceable water-use and noise standards in a forthcoming data-center ordinance, warning hyperscale facilities would strain local water and utilities.
Honey Brook '1 June 10 ' Multiple residents and Planning Commission representatives urged township officials to add specific, enforceable standards to the draft data-center ordinance to address noise, water use, setbacks and utility cost impacts.
A resident with energy-sector experience told the board hyperscale data centers can require "1 to 5 million" gallons of water and large quantities of electricity, arguing that local groundwater resources and the utility rate base are not prepared for sustained, heavy industrial withdrawals without mitigation measures such as limits on withdrawals, water-source verification and financial guarantees.
The Planning Commission reported it is finalizing revisions and expects an extended review (an overflow special meeting was discussed for late June/early July) before any formal recommendation to the supervisors.
Why it matters: Data centers often raise local concerns about noise, landscape, water withdrawals for evaporative cooling and whether utilities and infrastructure bear direct or indirect costs. Residents asked the township to ensure performance standards are enforceable and coordinated across zoning, noise and utility planning.
Board response: Supervisors acknowledged the concerns and said staff and PC are continuing ordinance work. Resolution 2026-1 was adopted to record specific findings and keep the township's follow-up review on the timetable established last month.
Next steps: Planning staff will continue drafting the ordinance; the Planning Commission will continue review (PC meeting June 25 and a possible overflow special date). The board indicated it expects additional technical review by consultants on water-availability and noise performance standards.
Provenance: Planning Commission report and public comments recorded in the meeting transcript (June 10, 2026).
