East Vincent Township officials are rushing to adopt a zoning ordinance for data centers before a formal plan is filed to redevelop the former Pennhurst State Hospital property. According to solicitor Joe Clemente, the property owner recently submitted a sketch plan that includes a data center, offices and a plant that would burn old tires to produce black carbon and fuel — though the developer has signaled the true goal is the data center. “He would abandon those plans if there is an opportunity for the data center use,” Clemente said. Planning commission members and residents criticized the draft as rushed and lacking safeguards on height, woodland protection, water use and noise. The commission voted against recommending the measure, saying it ignored months of input. Opponents also objected to allowing 90-foot buildings, limited setbacks and water withdrawals from the Schuylkill River. Advocates want stricter conditions, including LEED certification, decommissioning funds and larger buffers for neighbors and the nearby veterans’ home. The proposed law is drafted so that a data center would require a “special exception” from the zoning hearing board to be built. This was done, Clement said, so that the board of supervisors is not the deciding body, as would be the case with a conditional use. That means the supervisors can be positioned to “be an active party” to the zoning decision and sue if they disagree with it. Despite concerns, township leaders said they plan to pass a legally defensible ordinance quickly, then amend it within weeks. Supervisors could vote on the ordinance as soon as Monday, Sept. 22.
Source: Daily Local; 9/17/2025