Newtown supervisors authorize advertising of proposed data center ordinance

The Newtown Township Board of Supervisors voted July 22 to authorize sending a revised data center ordinance to the joint solicitor for advertisement and scheduling of a public hearing. The solicitor told the board the Planning Commission had reviewed the draft and recommended forwarding it, and a motion to advertise the ordinance was moved and seconded by members of the board.

Solicitor (S8) summarized the action: "If the board's of a mind, it will be a motion to authorize sending the revised data center ordinance to the jointure to advertise a public hearing." Chair (S1) and other supervisors said the goal was to put a regulatory framework in place quickly while acknowledging it could be amended later. During public comment residents urged stronger language and better notice; Kimberly Caputo, a resident, said she had not seen changes discussed at a recent work session and asked, "When will that happen?" The solicitor replied that once the ordinance is authorized for advertisement the draft becomes a public document and a hearing could be scheduled as early as August.

Board members discussed holding public information sessions and inviting outside experts so residents can compare the township draft with model ordinances used elsewhere. The board did not adopt the ordinance at the meeting; it authorized advertisement, which starts the formal public‑hearing process and makes the draft available for review.