South Annville asked to update zoning ordinance for future data center projects

This article was funded by LebTown donors as part of our Civic Impact Reporting Project.

On May 13, residents asked South Annville Township supervisors to clearly define and regulate data centers in the township’s zoning ordinance in light of 1235 Martina Drive Owner LLC’s decision to stop pursuing a data center project.

Chairman Dale Hoover read a letter from attorney Jonathan D. Andrews of McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC, the law firm representing 1235 Martina Drive Owner LLC, to roughly half the number of residents in attendance compared to the previous board meeting.

After a thunderous round of applause, Hoover addressed the audience by stating that there are no kickbacks in South Annville Township, and supervisors care about the community, too.

Hoover told the audience that he has lived in the area for 60+ years, vice chairman John Harrell has lived in the area for 30+ years, and second vice chairman Garry Rhine has lived in the area his entire life.

“In the past, our township has dealt with some very controversial issues. There were strong expressions in the discussion. However, I never felt the disrespect that I felt at our last month’s meeting and in some emails. I and several others who attended … agreed with me,” Hoover said.

“With the heated rhetoric on the national scene, I hoped we could have a good discussion on our local level, but was disappointed. I would encourage you in future discussions to give your input, but do it in a way that shows respect for others who also care about this community.”

Supervisors unanimously approved limiting public comment on the data center to 30 minutes and three minutes per speaker. Five people, including Lebanon County Commissioner Jo Ellen Litz, Michael Schroeder, Mark Lesher, and Sarah Dixon, commented on the issue.

Litz thanked supervisors for their service and mentioned the significance of protecting bald eagles in the area of the once-proposed project. “I just think a whole community is exhaling,” she said about the petitioner’s decision to withdraw their request.

Schroeder said he was disappointed to hear that supervisors felt disrespected and apologized for that. He also thanked members of the South Annville Township Planning Commission for their careful deliberation and ultimate recommendation that supervisors deny 1235 Martina Drive Owner LLC’s request.

“We look forward to working collaboratively with the supervisors to try to develop a data center ordinance that protects the public interest and safeguards public health and safety and adheres to state law,” he said.

Lesher and Dixon thanked supervisors, township manager Jeanette Henning, and assistant township manager Heather Mesko for their time spent listening to residents.

“I’m proud to be raising a family in a town like South Annville, a town where I can take my children, and point them to the local government, and say, ‘See? This is how representative democracy is supposed to work,'” Dixon said.

Supervisors unanimously approved renewing South Annville Township’s two $1 million CDs at Jonestown Bank & Trust Co. for one year. Its APY was 3.73% — higher than Lebanon Federal Credit Union’s APY of 3.25% and Fulton Bank’s APY of 3.05%.

Upon recommendation of the planning commission, supervisors unanimously approved a final land development plan, stormwater management agreement, and an agreement for the grant of public access and trail easement for phase two of Southgate, a single-family residential development between Bachman Road and Spruce Street.

Also, upon recommendation of the planning commission, supervisors unanimously approved a final land development plan for Andrew Martin’s preserved farm, which involves a small poultry barn on the north side of Louser Road, just west of Mount Pleasant Road.

Supervisors unanimously approved issuing Mark and Lorene Hoover a temporary occupancy permit for their property at 935 Royer Lane. This will allow the couple to continue living in their original house while their new house is being built.

After an occupancy permit is issued for their new house, the Hoovers will have 60 days to remove the original house.

Supervisors unanimously approved the 2026-27 Annville-Cleona school events agreement, which provides police coverage for school events. Supervisors increased the hourly rate from $55 to $60.

Supervisors announced that police chief Ben Sutcliffe is retiring after 35 years of service on Monday, June 1, and thanked him for his service and support of the township.

Supervisors promoted Sgt. Chuck Beard II to chief. They unanimously approved hiring Scott Firestone as the new sergeant and swore him into the police force.

Ed Fogelsanger, a Greater Lebanon Refuse Authority board member, provided a recap of the recent tire collection event at the Lebanon Expo Center. There were 2,425 tires collected from Lebanon County residents, including 48 car tires and five oversized tires from South Annville Township residents.

Fogelsanger also promoted a free paper-shredding event on Friday, June 26, from 8 a.m. to noon, with a shred truck set up at the Electronics Recycling Facility, 1805 Russel Road, Lebanon. IDs are required. More details are available at goglra.org.

In other news, supervisors unanimously moved to:

• Approve the secretary’s and treasurer’s reports.
• Approve the engineer’s report, which included:
  • The crack sealing projects in Olde South Crossing and the Meadows at Bachman Run to start on Thursday, May 21, weather-dependent.
  • The township’s MS4 program to be readied in the case of an audit by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
• Approve the police report, which included 200 calls for township and 22 for regional, and a total of 328 hours for township and 43 for regional.
• Approve the payment of the township’s bills.

Supervisors congratulated Mesko for earning her PMGA diploma. She received her diploma at PSATS on Wednesday, April 22.

South Annville Township supervisors meet at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month. Meetings are typically held in the Donald H. Umberger Building, but may be held in the Annville-Cleona Secondary School’s auditorium, depending on anticipated attendance. Next month’s meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 10.