East Rockhill Supervisors discuss data center ordinance
The East Rockhill Board of Supervisors Tuesday, February 24 unveiled an ordinance to regulate data centers in the township.
The ordinance, nearly identical to one under consideration in West Rockhill Township, 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.
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 groundwater depletion and rising electricity costs, with recent applications in Conshohocken, Montgomery County and East Vincent, Chester County withdrawn and denied following community backlash.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.
“By enacting an ordinance, we put guardrails around the development of a data center,” said Oetinger. “Rather than just coming in and starting building… we’re gonna get out ahead of this.”
Following some discussion, the board agreed to revisit the ordinance at its next meeting after gathering additional information about the matter. The ordinance must be publicly advertised and reviewed by the township and county planning commissions before receiving final approval from the board.
PRA water treatment facility
The board granted a land development waiver for an updated Perkasie Regional Authority plan to build a water treatment facility at 1100 Branch Road.
The 8,700-square-foot barn-shaped facility is primarily aimed at reactivating and treating well #14, which has been inactive for years due to arsenic contamination. The new well will enable PRA to significantly increase its water supply, providing extra capacity in the event of an emergency, and reduce the wear and tear on other wells.
The project will also help to compensate for multiple PRA wells with PFAS contaminant levels in excess of the newly-announced Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) limit of four parts per trillion, now set to take effect in 2031.
The board’s discussion largely concerned the facility’s exterior color, with members suggesting earth tones to match the township’s new public works building and blend in with nature. The PRA committed to honoring the board’s color preference.
The project will now advance to the Zoning Hearing Board.
Volunteer application
The board heard an introduction from volunteer applicant Mary Martin. A nine-year township resident, Martin grew up in Doylestown and currently works in title insurance consulting. A descendant of West Rockhill public officials, she expressed a passion for local government.
“I’ve been eager to volunteer for something in the township for several years now,” said Martin. “People complain a lot of about what happens in their community but do not show up to meetings or volunteer or do the things they should do to have the local government operate more like they want it.”
Martin voiced an interest in the open alternate position on the Zoning Hearing Board. There is also an opening on the Planning Commission.
The board roundly expressed gratitude to Martin, noting the difficulty of finding volunteers. Members will review her application before making a final decision.
The next East Rockhill Board of Supervisors meeting is on March 24 at 7 p.m. For more information, visit eastrockhilltownship.org.
John Worthington writes for The Reporter.
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