East Rockhill board tables proposed data center zoning ordinance after lengthy public hearing

The East Rockhill Township Board of Supervisors on May 26 opened a public hearing on a draft data center zoning ordinance and then voted to table the measure after extended public comment.

Township Solicitor Will Oetinger told the board the draft ordinance would place regulations on proposed data centers in the Industrial One and Industrial Two zoning districts so that "an applicant cannot place a data center anywhere in the township with no requirements." The draft included a proposed 50-acre minimum site size, a 200-foot setback requirement and preferences for on-site electric service and connection to public water as the first option.

Residents used the public hearing to raise environmental and community-impact concerns. Jim Pascale urged more public outreach and said the draft is inadequate. Brian McMullen questioned the speed of the process and said he feared the ordinance was being driven by recent state incentives. Several residents — including Anthony DiFondi and Jeff Rowe — cited concerns about noise and water impacts and asked for environmental assessments. Barbara Gebelein referenced state constitutional natural-resources protections and raised PFAS contamination concerns. Jennifer Wright and others asked about potential impacts to well water; Emily Geib requested an appraisal requirement for homes that could be devalued.

The meeting included a demonstration by Jim Krout of noise from a New Jersey data center, presented as an example of potential off-site impacts. Solicitor Oetinger noted that well-water protections were not repeated in the draft because such standards are required to be reviewed under Chapter 22 Subdivision and Land Development and would be addressed during land development review.

Supervisor Gary Volovnik stated his opposition to the zoning amendment during board discussion. On a motion by Supervisor Jim Nietupski, seconded by Supervisor Volovnik, the board voted to table Ordinance 310 "at this time." The motion passed with all present voting in favor. The board encouraged residents to check the township website and submit written comments to the Township Manager.

The draft ordinance had been under consideration by the board for approximately eight months, Mr. Nyman said; no application for a data center had been filed. The solicitor also told the public that a moratorium is limited under local law (usable once every three years for up to six months) and does not permanently bar a use.

Next steps: the ordinance was tabled for additional review and public input; the board did not adopt the draft at the May 26 meeting.