NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — A Delaware County community is pushing back on data centers. The planning commission in Newtown Township has recommended an ordinance that would set limits on data center development. Some residents, however, don’t think it’s comprehensive enough.
There’s no active data center proposal in Newtown Township. But officials are trying to draft an ordinance that would set standards, should one be proposed.
Forrest McFaddin believes officials acted too hastily.
“It really does seem rushed,” he said. “If this township had spent two, three more weeks drafting a better version, I’d feel better about it.
“The fear is [if] we passed a weak version of this ordinance, an application is received shortly after, and then we’re not able to have something that protects the residents.”
Township officials said they would rather get something drafted sooner rather than later, then make amendments as needed.
Alexis Burd noticed that nearby townships have ordinances that are two or three times longer than Newtown Township’s 14 ½-page document.
“This proposal is so data center-friendly, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the moment the supervisors pass this, we don’t get three or four data center developers fighting over this land,” she said.
Like many in attendance, John Butler is concerned with noise standards.
“You’re allowing 60 decibels during the day. That’s substantially too high,” he said. “Thirty decibels, because it’s running all the time, impacts people’s health.”
The commission said the Delaware County Planning Commission is reviewing Newtown Township’s ordinance before township supervisors consider it.
Some residents argue the proposed ordinance isn’t comprehensive enough
Some residents argue the proposed ordinance isn’t comprehensive enough
