Upper Hanover reviews draft data‑center ordinance, seeks tighter siting and energy rules

A joint work session of the Upper Hanover Township Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission reviewed draft rules for siting and operating data centers on March 26, 2026, and directed the township solicitor to fold in recommendations from a newly issued county guide.

Planning Commission member Jon Warren, who explained why the session had been scheduled, told the meeting: "How do we do this?" He emphasized the Township has not received any data‑center applications but wants to adopt standards now to shape where and how facilities could operate.

Township Solicitor Zac Sivertsen cautioned about the consequences of failing to act. "The penalty for not pro‑actively providing for uses can be very drastic with property owners enabled to seek site specific relief," he said, arguing the Township should set rules in advance rather than leave individual property owners to request variances.

Members reviewed a red‑lined draft ordinance and a Draft County Data Center Guide. Topics the board and commission flagged for the revised draft included limiting data centers to the OS district (the transcript did not define the abbreviation "OS"), analyzing parcels in that district for buffer setbacks from sensitive properties, adding renewable energy provisions, and including guidance or requirements addressing Tier 4 generators.

Officials also discussed requiring traffic‑impact studies for both construction and operations, minimum setbacks, lighting standards, noise and vibration controls (the county guide was cited as a source for minimums), an energy management plan sized for peak operations, fencing and continuous compliance with DEP and EPA regulations rather than compliance only at the time of approval.

Public commenters raised local impacts. John Walsh asked whether each municipality would need its own ordinance and whether Upper Hanover would be required to match a neighboring municipality's action: "Will each municipality do their own Ordinance?" and "If Marlborough adopts an ordinance, does Upper Hanover have to?" Solicitor Sivertsen answered that each municipality must adopt its own ordinance but that what is permitted and where may differ between communities.

Walsh and resident Debbie Wolk said they were worried about electricity costs and possible impacts on local wells from increased generation and demand. The transcript records those concerns but does not include technical data or proposed solutions; board members said other levels of government were looking at regional impacts and the Township would consider zoning and energy provisions to mitigate local effects.

Solicitor Sivertsen said he had only just received the county guidance and will review it more closely, incorporate appropriate items into the township draft ordinance and return the revised text for further consideration; the board indicated another joint work session may be needed. Planning Commission members left the session at 8:45 p.m.

Next steps: Solicitor Zac Sivertsen will revise the draft ordinance to incorporate county guidance and proposed protections; the board and commission will schedule follow‑up review sessions before any ordinance is introduced for a formal vote.