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Planning commission recommends zoning changes for data centers, including 1,000-foot buffer
Summary
The commission voted 5-0 to recommend a Zoning Ordinance amendment for data centers that adds water/wastewater estimates, requires disclosure of hazardous discharges, and establishes a 1,000-foot separation from certain residential and institutional uses.
The West Whiteland Township Planning Commission voted June 14, 2026, to recommend that the Board of Supervisors adopt a Zoning Ordinance amendment regulating data centers, including a 1,000-foot minimum separation from R-1 and O/R residential districts and properties accommodating churches and schools. The commission approved the recommendation unanimously (5-0).
Planning Director John Weller reviewed a July 10 memorandum and a redline version of the amendment that incorporates changes the commission agreed to June 30. The proposal adds a definition of “facility,” requires conditional-use applications to include estimated rates of water consumption and wastewater discharge, and adds new application requirements addressing atmospheric and other potentially hazardous discharges. The draft renames a section from “Decommissioning Plan” to “Decommissioning and Closure Plan” and adopts state guidance to make the amendment effective immediately rather than after five days.
The draft excludes playing fields from the term “educational use” to avoid inadvertently barring sites such as the Collegium Charter School playing fields. Mr. Choper recommended additional wording to paragraph (3)(b) to clarify coverage for existing or approved church and educational uses; the commission agreed to add his language. “...to any property accommodating a church or educational use in existence or any property for which plans have been approved for such use by the Township...,” was the insertion proposed and accepted during the discussion.
Mr. Weller told the commission staff did not include a map of eligible lands in the ordinance, saying from a practical standpoint maintaining such a map would be burdensome as churches or schools could be built in new locations. The commission recorded no public opposition at the meeting and thanked staff for completing the draft earlier than expected. The recommendation will be transmitted to the Board of Supervisors for consideration.
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