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West Chester council adopts zoning amendment to regulate data centers after public hearing
Summary
The West Chester Borough Council adopted a zoning amendment July 15 that defines data centers and allows them as a conditional use in the Industrial District, adding standards for setbacks, noise, utilities and emergency response after a public hearing with vocal opposition from residents citing the borough's community bill of rights.
West Chester Borough Council on July 15 adopted an amendment to the borough zoning code that defines "data center" and related terms and makes data centers and data‑center campuses a conditional use in the Industrial District.
At a public hearing that opened at 6:34 p.m., the borough solicitor explained the change is meant to ensure a transparent, case‑by‑case review rather than a blanket ban. "So by adopting the zoning amendment, we're not agreeing to any specific proposal," the solicitor said, adding that conditional‑use filings must include studies of energy, water and wastewater use, noise and vibration analyses, decommissioning and emergency‑response plans.
The ordinance adds definitions, area and bulk standards, and a new section with data‑center‑specific regulations that council said were drafted with input from the Chester County Planning Commission and engineering consultants Panoni Associates. Panoni provided four pages of noise and vibration criteria the borough incorporated, officials said. The conditional‑use process would require notice to property owners within approximately 1,000 feet and allow the council to impose conditions or deny an application after a public hearing.
During public comment, former resident Joe Norley urged council to slow down, said the borough's 2015 community bill of rights and home‑rule charter bar certain energy infrastructure, and asked that his written letter be included in the record: "Council is making a big mistake by rushing into this," he said, raising concerns about generator testing, setbacks and unrestricted water withdrawals.
Supporters on council said the ordinance fills gaps in current zoning and provides tools for review and conditions. Council moved to adopt the ordinance "as presented to full council," and a roll‑call vote approved the measure; one member was recorded as recused and the remaining participating members voted in favor. Council then closed the hearing at 7:03 p.m. and resumed the regular voting session.
The ordinance does not approve any particular data‑center project; it establishes the procedure and standards for future conditional‑use applications. Next steps include publication of the ordinance, filing requirements for applicants, and, for any specific proposal, separate conditional‑use hearings that will require technical studies and emergency‑response coordination with local EMS and fire providers.
