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Planning Commission begins review of draft Data Center Ordinance
Summary
Codorus Township Planning Commission opened debate on a proposed Data Center Ordinance on Jan. 20, 2026, weighing zoning options, infrastructure limits and agricultural protections and assigning follow-up research to staff and counsel.
The Codorus Township Planning Commission met Jan. 20, 2026, at the municipal building to review a proposed draft Data Center Ordinance and discuss how the township should regulate potential data center development.
Commissioners and consultants focused on where data centers could be permitted, how local zoning controls would interact with state processes, and what technical constraints—particularly electric infrastructure and decommissioning—would mean for siting decisions. The meeting record notes that the Commercial zoning district in the township is small and that a 20% lot coverage limit in that district restricts facility footprint potential.
Atty. Andy Herrold advised that if the township takes no action, developers could seek a Special Exception that would leave the board with limited control over locations and conditions. The commission discussed using an Overlay Zone to permit data centers only in specified portions of Agricultural and Commercial zones; commissioners flagged "spot zoning" as a potential legal issue under Pennsylvania practice and requested legal research before adopting any ordinance language.
The commission assigned follow-up work to clarify zoning boundaries, consult the township engineer about expanding an Overlay to adjacent commercial lots, and research data centers' energy requirements, including the feasibility of natural gas or manure-digester power. The commission set a follow-up meeting for Feb. 17, 2026.
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