Forks Township adopts data‑center ordinance after residents raise environmental concerns

The Forks Township Board of Supervisors voted unanimously June 18 to adopt Ordinance 416, an amendment to the township’s regulations for data centers, after a public hearing that drew resident concerns about water and power use and potential air pollution.

Township Solicitor Lisa Pereira opened the hearing and noted the ordinance had been advertised and reviewed by the Forks Township Planning Commission (4‑1 recommendation) and the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission. Testimony at the hearing indicated the decommissioning language in the draft ordinance did not reflect the compromise reached by the Planning Commission; the board was provided with the Planning Commission meeting minutes showing the PC’s preferred wording.

Residents urged the board to prohibit data centers outright, citing community concerns about increased water and power demands and air‑quality effects. Pereira and other officials noted that, under applicable land‑use rules, the township must allow each lawful use somewhere in the municipality; the board nevertheless directed that the ordinance be returned to the Planning Commission for clarification of the decommissioning provisions.

Supervisor Ty Corallo moved to adopt Ordinance 416, and Supervisor Amy Blum seconded. The board recorded a unanimous roll‑call vote in favor of adoption. Under discussion at the meeting, officials acknowledged the need to reconcile the Planning Commission language and the adopted ordinance.

The ordinance is now adopted; the Planning Commission will receive the board’s request to clarify the decommissioning language and related provisions.