Upper Burrell has scheduled a public hearing and special meeting to vote on its long-awaited data center ordinance, which has become a
The hearing, at 6 p.m. Oct. 22 at the township municipal building, will allow for public comment on the ordinance.
After the hearing will be a special meeting during which township supervisors are expected to vote on the ordinance draft that has been in the works since spring.
The meeting will be just days before the township’s moratorium on new data center development ends on Nov. 2.
Township Supervisor Scott Brown said the local government feels it’s important to get the ordinance on the books before the moratorium ends, despite some ongoing resident wishes for the board to hold off on passing it until it can also address power plants.
“We have absolutely no protection if this is not voted on,” Brown said. “We’re doing the best we can with this being a new thing for everybody.”
The township’s draft of the ordinance has to be approved by the planning commission at its Oct. 20 meeting before the supervisors can vote on it.
Brown said the township has started working on a power plant ordinance but didn’t have an estimated timeline for when it might be completed.
The township is talking with its engineer about what a power plant ordinance would look like, he said.
“We’re working on it as fast as we can but not too fast that we overlook it,” Brown said.
The data center ordinance would regulate future data center development in the township.
Building J of the TECFusions data center went live earlier this year, as the first two phases of that development were in the works before the moratorium was set.
The current ordinance draft has stipulations on zoning, power and water use, cumulative noise, accessory uses, lighting, security, emergency management, roadway use, drainage and decommissioning.
The proposed ordinance would require data centers to provide their own baseload power generation, or a power needs of a data center.”
It also has a section requiring a five- to 10-year plan from data center developers. It states the township will choose any outside consultants for any studies or monitoring of a data center, to be paid for by the developer.
A full draft of the proposed ordinance can be found on the townshipwebsite.
About the Writer
Ember Duke is a TribLive staff writer. She can be reached at eduke@triblive.com.
News Spotlight
- Convicted rapist, formerly of Greensburg, receives prison time for sexual assault of childTribLive
- How to Improve Focus and Confidence Through Martial Arts TrainingChampion Martial Arts
Partner News
- What Is Injectable Biostimulation With Sculptra?Gentle Beauty Solutions
Partner News - The Ultimate Packing Guide for a Stress-Free Move in PittsburghDiversity Moving Company
Partner News
- What Is Selling a Home With Outdated HVAC and Plumbing?Buys Houses
Partner News - Upper Burrell sets date for public hearing, likely vote on data center ordinanceTribLive
- Explosion in tick diseases spurs race for treatment and preventionTribLive
- How to Choose the Right Skincare Treatment for Your Skin TypeESSpa Kozmetika Organic Day Spa and Skincare Salon
Partner News
- Pitt players respect Bill Belichick’s resume but remain focused on beating North CarolinaTribLive
- Mark Madden: Pittsburgh Spirit brought indoor soccer to life, gave fans a game unlike any otherTribLive
Push Notifications
Get news alerts first, right in your browser.
