Jackson Township supervisors receive first draft of data center ordinance

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The Jackson Township Board of Supervisors received the first draft of a new data center ordinance prior to the Oct. 20 meeting and continued discussions.

Supervisors said they didn’t have time to review the draft thoroughly, so there was no vote on Monday. They plan to review the draft and issue comments for edits.

Supervisors said they’re looking into a data center ordinance to “get something on the books,” so they’re ahead of any companies that want to move into the area. Solicitor Paul Bametzreider said the ordinance would restrict any data centers to the township’s industrial zoning district.

Supervisor Thomas Houtz had several questions for Bametzreider about the legality of the ordinance. He said data centers are pretty much warehouse shells, and he asked how they could stop what goes inside the building.

Bametzreider said they wouldn’t be fully banning the use, but would regulate where they can go so developers can’t put them anywhere they want.

“What we’re doing is we’re creating a place under the zoning scheme for where this use can happen,” he said. “You can’t make it illegal.”

The draft is based on other places that have data center ordinances, said engineer Stephen Sherk of Steckbeck Engineering. Drafters also used the Lebanon County Planning Commission’s tools, which included model ordinances and guidelines.

Supervisor Michael Dunkle said he’d heard that the federal government could step in and tell local municipalities where data centers will go because they could be placed in strategic places.

“The internet has become a very integral and important part of our economy — we’re all on the internet every day, multiple times every day,” Bametzreider responded. “At some point, it may rise to the level where on the commonwealth level or on the federal level, the government just says this is too important for our economy, local governments can’t be controlling this and regulating this. As of right now, I’m not aware of anything that is happening in that direction on the commonwealth level or the federal level, so I think you proceed as if you’re going to regulate it the way you would any other use.”

In other business, supervisors:

• Heard the annual Municipality Separate Storm Sewer System educational presentation.
• Announced that the Pennsylvania State Police recommended the township close South Ramona Road due to the bridge’s weight limit. Houtz said large tractor-trailers aren’t following the proper detours and signage, and it has brought in around $100,000 in fines in a week. Supervisors decided not to close the bridge and are instructing Sherk to start putting plans together for repairs.
• Voted to create a sign at Lakeside Park for $1,500.
• Voted 2-1, with Houtz dissenting, to make a resident move his fence out of township property after he requested relief. The board’s majority didn’t want to set a precedent.
• Appointed Houtz to represent the township with the Leed Equities Group LLC litigation regarding the municipality’s decision to deny a proposed warehouse development project on South Ramona Road.
• Voted to donate $100 to Lebanon County Clean Water Alliance.

The Jackson Township Board of Supervisors will meet next at 60 N. Ramona Road on Nov. 3 at 7:30 p.m.