Chester and Montgomery counties are working to get ahead of a growing surge in data center proposals by developing model zoning ordinances. The urgency stems from the rapid expansion of hyperscale data centers driven by AI demand, with facilities that can consume as much electricity as a small city and millions of gallons of water per day — raising serious concerns about strain on local infrastructure, groundwater, air quality and fire services. Advocacy group PennFuture has already released a detailed, 27-page model ordinance covering noise limits, water use, setbacks, buffer zones and emergency planning requirements. Under Pennsylvania law, municipalities cannot ban or even pause data center development outright. They can only regulate it, meaning that whatever zoning rules are in place when an application is submitted are the rules that apply. Many townships are scrambling after being caught off guard by proposals, while others like West Conshohocken are proactively crafting conditional use ordinances before any applications arrive.
Source: Pottstown Mercury; 3/23/2026