Lower Pottsgrove Board to draft data‑center ordinance as nearby proposal draws community concern

The Lower Pottsgrove Board of Commissioners said it will begin preparing local rules for data centers after residents raised concerns about water use and noise from proposals in neighboring Limerick.

Resident Thomas Troutman told the board he is hearing repeated concerns about how much water data centers use and how much noise they make. President Michael McGroarty and Township Manager Edward C. Wagner said township representatives have attended Limerick hearings and that it is too early to answer technical questions until developers present their experts on water and electrical demand.

"We want to be educated so we can do what is right for Lower Pottsgrove," McGroarty said, asking that future manager updates include what outside resources the township has contacted and steps taken to develop a local ordinance. Manager Wagner added that he and Commissioner James Hutchinson have attended multiple Limerick meetings and will continue to monitor the process.

Wagner and Hutchinson told the board the Limerick proceedings have drawn strong public interest; Wagner said about 27 people currently have standing to question the engineer there and that hearings are capped at three hours, which could extend the process. He also said the developer had not yet presented materials on electrical or water usage at those hearings.

Solicitor Jamie Ottaviano noted Douglas Township’s planned withdrawal from the Pottstown Metropolitan Regional Planning Commission will not take effect until about May 2027, giving Lower Pottsgrove time to research options. Commissioners agreed to review model ordinances, consult county resources, and return monthly updates on contacts and next steps.

No ordinance was introduced or voted on at the June 1 meeting; board members described the work as preparatory and said next procedural steps will be reported at future meetings.