Draft Data Center Ordinance Amendment
Below is a link to the proposed Data Center Ordinance. This is a draft ordinance that would establish a regulatory framework for data centers while addressing potential impacts on neighboring properties, utilities, water use, noise, traffic, emergency response, environmental protection, and decommissioning. The ordinance is proposed as an amendment to the existing F-Industrial District within the Township. The ordinance will be before the Planning Commission for discussion at their meeting on November 18th, 2026. A public hearing before the Board of Supervisors will be scheduled at a later date. Please forward any comments to jworman@lowergwynedd.org.
DRAFT DATA CENTER ORDINANCE
Data Center Discussion
The Board of Supervisors held a data center discussion at their meeting on Tuesday, October 6th, 2026. As discussed, there are no data center developments proposed for Lower Gwynedd, and we don’t know if one ever will be but, in an effort, to protect residents’ health, safety, and quality of life should a data center development be proposed, the Township is working on a data center ordinance. Below is the presentation that gave an overview of the draft ordinance. Staff continues to refine the draft ordinance and welcome input from the community to help us think through the many concerns raised by data centers. Over the next few weeks, we will be finalizing a draft ordinance and that document will be circulated to the required review agencies. The draft ordinance will be posted here once it is ready for review.
**Please note, this presentation is an overview of a DRAFT ordinance, and the ordinance is subject to change as it goes through the process.
Public Meeting on Data Centers
No data center developments are proposed for Lower Gwynedd, and we don’t know if one ever will be. However, to protect residents’ health, safety, and quality of life should a data center development be proposed, the Township is working on a data center ordinance. We would appreciate input from the community to help us think through the many concerns raised by data centers.
A Board of Supervisors public meeting will be held:
Date: October 6
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Lower Gwynedd Township Building, 1130 N. Bethlehem Pike
Virtual Option: The meeting will also be available through Zoom.
We encourage you to attend, learn more about the proposed data center zoning regulations, and share your questions or concerns with the Township.
Additional Background Click Here
REGULATING DATA CENTERS
Data centers have become an important issue for communities across the country, and Lower Gwynedd Township is no exception. These large facilities use significant amounts of land, electricity, and water, but our current zoning ordinance does not include rules that address them. That void creates the risk that a developer could challenge the zoning ordinance and set their own terms for a new data center. Township officials are not aware of any potential data center proposals for Lower Gwynedd, but to protect the community from that risk, the Board of Supervisors has declared the Township's current zoning ordinance invalid because it does not contain standards for data centers. This step starts a legal process called a curative amendment, which gives the Township up to 180 days to develop and adopt zoning regulations for data centers. During that time, the Township can pause new data center development while the new rules are being prepared.
It is important to understand that, unlike some other states, Pennsylvania law does not permit municipalities to ban legitimate land uses, including data centers, nor may municipalities adopt regulations that are so restrictive as to effectively exclude them. However, the Township can adopt reasonable zoning regulations that help protect our community. These regulations may include requiring a public review process, such as conditional use approval; identifying appropriate (or at least less impactful) locations where data centers may be allowed; setting operating standards that address issues such as noise, lighting, water use, and other potential impacts; and including performance standards designed to mitigate impacts on the community.
Community input is an important part of this process. There will be a public meeting on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at 7 pm in the Township Building to discuss ideas for the new regulations. The Board of Supervisors encourages all residents to attend the meeting, virtually or in person, to learn more, share questions and concerns, and help shape an ordinance that protects our Township while complying with Pennsylvania law. More information about that meeting, including a Zoom link, will be shared closer to the date.
