AI (Credit: Joshua Sortino/Unsplash)
The board also discussed plans to install a new mural in the board meeting room in celebration of the country’s upcoming semiquincentennial
The East Rockhill Board of Supervisors Tuesday, April 28 approved the advertisement of an ordinance to regulate data centers in the township.
The ordinance includes a definition of data centers and language regulating building structures, accessory uses and equipment. It restricts data center construction to the township’s industrial districts at the Pennridge Airport and includes a 50-acre minimum lot size and a 45-foot building height limit.
The move follows the proliferation of AI data centers across the nation, with facilities planned in Falls Township, Bucks County and Limerick Township in Montgomery County. The industry has encountered significant public resistance due to concerns about noise and air pollution, groundwater depletion and rising electricity costs, with applications in Conshohocken, Montgomery County and East Vincent, Chester County withdrawn and denied following community backlash.
While East Rockhill has not yet received a data center application, the ordinance will serve as a preemptive measure in advance of future requests, said township solicitor Will Oetinger, who has argued that the board cannot legally prohibit data centers.
At Tuesday’s meeting, resident Mark Ezzo reiterated common data center concerns about excessive water and electricity usage.
“Data centers can use 75,000 gallons of water per day. I don’t think all the residents of East Rockhill even come close to that,” said Ezzo. “They will definitely take out much more than they will put in. They say they will give you millions of tax dollars, but the harm they do to the community will greatly surmount that.”
In response, Oetinger clarified that any data center proposal must undergo the land development process, which requires a water impact study and a promise to indemnify or re-drill any impacted wells in the township.
Supervisor Jim Nietsupki echoed Ezzo’s concerns about electricity usage, noting that mega data centers can consume upwards of 1 billion watts of power. However, there was unanimous agreement that the ordinance should be passed to protect the township from unregulated data centers and that additional concerns can be incorporated as amendments.
“We’re all in agreement that we gotta get it on the books,” said Nietupski. “So there’s something on the table. Then we move forward with amendments.”
“I’m sure we can come up with something everyone will live with and protect the beauty and austerity that is East Rockhill,” Ezzo added.
The ordinance will be advertised for 60 days, after which the board will hold a public hearing and a final vote.
Township mural
The board discussed plans to install a new mural in the board meeting room in celebration of the country’s upcoming semiquincentennial. The project would be financed by funds originally earmarked for a fireworks show, which the township has since abandoned due to a lack of regional interest.
Board chairman Dave Nyman suggested the inclusion of national and local symbols, while Nietupski proposed a collage of the township’s most notable landmarks, including Markey Park, the Pennridge Airport and covered bridges.
Township officials have pitched the plan to Carrie Kingsbury, the artist of a newly-unveiled mural in Perkasie borough. A meeting will be held in the near future to begin discussions.
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