Ephrata Twp PA data center rules (2026)

Ephrata Township, Lancaster County, PA — 'An Ordinance to Amend the Ephrata Township Zoning Ordinance to Provide Regulations for Data Centers and Their Accessory Uses and to Revise the Regulations for Animals and Animal Shelters.' Public hearing and adoption at the May 5, 2026 Board of Supervisors meeting (official minutes): motion by Ty Zerbe, seconded by Joe Strosser, carried unanimously (Supervisors Haws, Zerbe, Strosser present = 3-0), with the last sentence of Sec. 4.B.7 (rooster ban, animal section) removed. Minutes: 'The ordinance will be in effect five (5) days from the date of the hearing' (effective_date 2026-05-10 derived from that stated term). Hearing had been set for April 7, 2026 but tabled and readvertised for May 5 because of a notice error. Content per manager's summary in minutes: minimum lot size, setbacks, water and sewer feasibility studies, noise limits, buffering and other requirements to mitigate impacts on neighboring properties; LCPC and township planning commission reviewed. Per LNP (Sept. 28, 2026): data centers allowed in the industrial zone with zoning hearing board approval; maximum noise levels and water-usage restrictions; decommissioning plan required. Drafting history: Nov. 18, 2025 supervisors sent the draft to township and county planning commissions. NOT ESTABLISHED: ordinance number, numeric limits.