Union Township supervisors move forward on draft data center ordinance

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The Union Township Board of Supervisors gave the township solicitor permission during the April 8 meeting to send a draft data center ordinance to the Lebanon County Planning Department and the township planning commission for their review and feedback.

The ordinance, township manager Brent McFeaters said, looks to limit data centers to the industrial zoning regions of the municipality. He said they haven’t been contacted by any developers interested in building one in the township yet.

Solicitor Paul Bametzreider said it’s better to move forward with a data center ordinance sooner rather than later.

“You don’t want to run the risk,” he said. “Better to get something in your ordinance, and at least you have some control if something comes out of left field. If something comes out of left field, you’re prepared for it.”

Without an ordinance, Bametzreider said a developer could propose putting a data center anywhere that fits their needs, which could mean taking up agricultural land.

McFeaters said his largest concerns with a data center moving in would be the use of resources like electricity and water. He requested that the ordinance include language stipulating that a data center would be responsible for infrastructure to prevent costs from being passed on to nearby residents.

“If we don’t have an ordinance, they call the shots, whereas if we have something, we can help finesse and manipulate it to where it’s going to be and have some say for our residents,” McFeaters said after the meeting. “These things are huge power surges and huge water usages, so we need to look out for our residents.”

In other business, supervisors:

• Accepted two time extensions, as recommended by the planning commission. These include a 101-day extension for 181 Ridge Road’s minor subdivision plan and a 90-day extension for BL Companies’ preliminary final subdivision/land development plan.
• Heard an update on various ordinances the planning commission is reviewing and editing. Township engineer Stephen Sherk said he expects the commission to make recommendations to the board at its May meeting.
• Approved a letter of credit reduction for the Jono-Ace Hardware expansion for $386,992.36 to allow the balance of $206,342.36 for the remaining work.

The Union Township Board of Supervisors will have its next meeting at 3111 PA-72 on May 13 at 6:30 p.m.