The Royersford Planning Commission will meet Monday, September 14, to review a proposed data center ordinance, borough officials confirmed during Tuesday’s council meeting.
Council members began discussing potential data center regulations earlier this year.
No data center is currently proposed in Royersford. Other municipalities without active proposals, including Upper Providence Township, East Pikeland Township, and Spring City Borough, have also implemented or started drafting regulations in anticipation of possible future applications.
In neighboring Limerick Township, a conditional use hearing is underway for a proposed data center near the Limerick Generating Station and Philadelphia Premium Outlets. A separate proposal has been submitted for another facility at the former Publicker Distillery site in Linfield.
In nearby East Vincent Township, the board of supervisors voted in May to deny a hyperscale data center proposed for the Pennhurst State School and Hospital property. The developer appealed that decision in June.
Royersford's review comes as Gov. Josh Shapiro has also imposed new statewide requirements on data center development. An executive order signed August 18 establishes new standards for data centers submitting state permit applications while requiring projects to secure necessary local approvals before certain state permits can be issued.
The Royersford Planning Commission normally meets on the first Monday of each month, but the September meeting was moved due to the Labor Day holiday on September 7.
After reviewing the proposed ordinance, the planning commission can make a recommendation to borough council, which would consider the ordinance at a future meeting.
