East Rockhill supervisors ask solicitor to draft data‑center zoning rules and authorize advertisement of warrantless‑arrest ordinance

At its Sept. 23 meeting, the East Rockhill Township Board of Supervisors gave two policy directives: by consensus it asked the Township Solicitor to prepare a zoning‑ordinance draft that would include provisions for Data Centers, and, by recorded motion, it authorized advertisement of a draft Warrantless Arrest Ordinance.

The board’s consensus direction on data centers was recorded as agreement to have the Township Solicitor (Will Oetinger, Esq.) prepare draft zoning language that would address data center land‑use provisions; the minutes record this as consensus rather than a formal motion or roll‑call vote. Separately, on a motion by Supervisor Dave Nyman, seconded by Supervisor Jim Nietupski, the board authorized advertisement of a draft Warrantless Arrest Ordinance presented by the solicitor; the motion passed with all present voting in favor.

Why it matters: Data‑center facilities can raise questions about site selection, utilities, noise, and stormwater impacts; drafting dedicated zoning language starts the local regulatory review process. Authorizing advertisement of an ordinance starts a formal public‑notice and comment period for the warrantless‑arrest draft.

What’s next: The data‑center draft will be prepared by the solicitor and returned for board review and potential public hearing; the advertised warrantless‑arrest ordinance will follow the standard public‑notice and comment process and appear on a future agenda for further consideration.