Two large-scale data center proposals in the Spring-Ford area continue moving through the municipal review process, with upcoming hearings in Limerick Township and newly rescheduled proceedings in East Vincent Township expected to draw significant public attention.
Limerick: Ordinance Review Begins as Hearings Approach
In Limerick Township, officials have begun examining potential changes to zoning rules governing data centers, even as a major proposal continues through the approval process.
Data centers are facilities that house computer servers and digital infrastructure used to store, process, and transmit data for businesses, cloud computing services, and online platforms. They play a critical role in supporting technologies such as artificial intelligence, which require significant computing power to run applications and process large volumes of data. Because these facilities operate continuously, they often require substantial electricity and cooling systems.
At the Limerick Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, March 17, township solicitor Rebecca Geiser said staff have started working with engineers and planners to explore possible amendments to the data center ordinance. Early discussions are focused on issues raised repeatedly by residents, including building height limits and setbacks from homes.
No draft ordinance has been released, and officials emphasized that any changes will require additional review and public input before moving forward.
The review comes as the township continues to consider a proposed data center complex spanning more than 190 acres near the Limerick Generating Station. The project has generated sustained public interest, with residents raising concerns about noise, environmental impacts, and resource use—concerns reiterated during public comment at the March 17 meeting.
The application will continue to move forward under the existing ordinance.
The proposal is scheduled to return to the Limerick Planning Commission on April 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Spring-Ford 9th Grade Center, followed by a conditional use hearing before the Board of Supervisors on April 14 at 6:30 p.m. at Spring-Ford High School. Both meetings have been relocated to larger venues due to expected turnout.
The Spring-Ford Area School District has also indicated it plans to be represented at the conditional use hearing, citing the project’s proximity to district schools and the need to gather information about potential impacts.