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Upper Moreland pauses data‑center approvals, launches six‑month curative amendment process
Summary
After resident complaints about electricity, water and other local impacts, the Upper Moreland Board of Commissioners declared the current data‑center ordinance unconstitutional, imposed a six‑month moratorium on approvals and said it will pursue a curative amendment to limit facility size and power use.
The Upper Moreland Township Board of Commissioners on June 1 announced a six‑month moratorium on data‑center approvals while the township pursues a curative amendment to its zoning ordinance.
Residents at the meeting raised concerns about proposed data centers’ local impacts. Joan Pritchard, a resident of 450 Grey Horse Road, told the board she was worried about potential increases in electricity rates and water usage, plus pollution, noise, lighting effects on wildlife and nearby homes. Phoebe Parks asked whether municipalities are required to allow data centers and urged zoning limits on power utilization and facility size.
Township Solicitor Sean Kilkenny told residents the board has declared the current ordinance unconstitutional and has started a curative amendment process that gives the township six months to amend the zoning framework. Kilkenny said the board plans to “institute substantial restrictions” on data‑center development that comply with legal limits and encouraged public participation in the Community Development Committee, which will take up the issue at its June 15 meeting at the Upper Moreland School District Administration Building.
Township Manager Patrick T. Stasio and other officials did not adopt new rules at the June 1 meeting; instead, commissioners placed a temporary moratorium on approvals to allow staff and the committee time to draft amendments and solicit public comment. The moratorium pauses permitting or approvals tied to the current ordinance while the curative amendment process proceeds.
The Community Development Committee meeting on June 15 is the next scheduled forum for substantive debate of proposed zoning changes. Kilkenny and township staff invited residents to attend and offer input during that committee process.
What’s next: the board’s moratorium lasts six months while staff and the Community Development Committee develop proposed amendments; any formal ordinance or zoning change would return to the board for public hearing and vote.
