LOWER MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. — As Lower Macungie officials prepare to draft a zoning update laying out rules for data center projects, they got inspiration from a neighbor Tuesday.
Lower Macungie Planning Commission reviewed a similar proposal from neighboring Upper Macungie Township.
Under the new zoning rules, designs for data center proposals would include earthen berms screening the building and 200-foot setbacks from any residential property, school, place of worship or other “sensitive” uses.
Upper Macungie ordinance
Upper Macungie’s proposed zoning amendment, to be considered at the township’s Dec. 4 board of commissioners meeting, creates a new set of rules for data centers proposed in the township.
The measure would allow data centers as a conditional use in Upper Macungie’s General Industrial and Rural Technology districts.
Developers looking to build a data center in the township would need to explain how they plan to meet the site’s sizable appetite for power and water without overly straining surrounding infrastructure.
The township would also require sound studies and an emergency response plan preparing first responders for a potential fire.
Under the new zoning rules, designs for data center proposals in Upper Macungie would include earthen berms screening the building and 200-foot setbacks from any residential property, school, place of worship or other “sensitive” uses.
Valley municipalities adopting rules
Lower Macungie officials praised Upper Macungie’s proposal Tuesday as township staff prepare their own zoning rules for data centers.
“Hats off to our partners over there in Upper Macungie, because a lot of the things that we are looking at they address in contemplation for their ordinance as well.”
Lower Macungie Township Planner Nathan Jones
“Hats off to our partners over there in Upper Macungie, because a lot of the things that we are looking at they address in contemplation for their ordinance as well,” Lower Macungie Township Planner Nathan Jones said.
A handful of other municipalities in the Lehigh Valley have adopted rules governing proposals for large-scale data centers.
They include Upper Mount Bethel, Palmer, Forks and South Whitehall townships.