Codorus planning commission requests updated data-center ordinance after supervisors' revisions

The Codorus Township Planning Commission on Feb. 17 asked to see the board of supervisors' updated data center ordinance before taking further action.

Andy Herrold summarized the supervisors' recent revisions and told commissioners the changes include "water feasibility, noise, environmental impact and electromagnetic field studies that would need to be performed," and that "the data centers are only permitted in the commercial district and use by special exception." Commissioners said they want to review the exact text of the supervisor-adopted changes before advising on implementation or permitting guidance.

Commissioners discussed water consumption as a planning concern for potential data center projects and noted there is currently no active data center construction in the township. Andy also raised the possibility that the ordinance could be challenged under the fair share doctrine, prompting commissioners to request the formal ordinance language and any supporting analyses before the next meeting.

The planning commission did not take formal action on the ordinance at the Feb. 17 meeting; commissioners asked that the supervisors' redline or updated ordinance be provided for review at an upcoming meeting so staff and commissioners can assess study requirements and siting limits.