West Rockhill considers these new data center regulations

As municipal leaders across Bucks County and beyond work to address the prospect of data centers moving into town, officials in West Rockhill are considering an ordinance to regulate the industry.

A proposed zoning ordinance would create a new use for data centers in the “PI – Planned Industrial” district by special exception. This ordinance would also establish definitions and regulations for data centers within the township.

Prospective regulations include requiring applicants to improve public infrastructure where necessary to avoid negative impacts on the area and having on-site solar power to generate energy for the data center to reduce strain on the public electricity provider.

West Rockhill officials haven’t received a formal application for a data center development, but last fall township planners were presented with an informal sketch plan for a data center at 215 Cathill Road in Sellersville.

The applicants, National Land Developers and Greener by Design, argued that the property is considered optimal for a data center because of its proximity to power infrastructure and the highway, and because it’s in an industrial area, potentially limiting the impact on residents.

A 150,000-200,000-square-foot facility would have approximately 18 employees across three shifts, they said.

Multiple residents spoke against the project, citing concerns about noise, light pollution and water usage.

West Rockhill supervisors are holding a public hearing on the proposed ordinance at 7 p.m. April 15 in the township’s municipal building at 1028 Ridge Road in Sellersville.