South Whitehall Township is moving closer to adopting its new planning, innovation, research and technology district overlay ordinance, which would establish standards for data centers and other large-scale technology uses within the township’s industrial zone.

At the Sept. 3 South Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners meeting, staff reported the draft ordinance, zoning map and design guidelines have already been reviewed by the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, which issued a largely favorable response with constructive feedback.

Township staff have also incorporated input from advisory boards and community discussions into the draft.

Long Range Planner Chris Strohler explained the ordinance takes a two-path approach to data centers: conditional use within the industrial zone – intended for smaller-scale or redevelopment projects and by-right use within the PIRT overlay – geared toward new, larger “campus-style” developments.

Noise standards, buffering and water use were among the topics discussed.

The ordinance sets stricter objective noise limits for projects in the PIRT overlay, while water usage will be addressed through required community and environmental impact statements and reviewed during land development.

To keep residents informed, the township has added a zoning update hub to its website, featuring frequently asked questions, charts clarifying the differences between conditional and overlay uses and links to the full ordinance documents.

Interactive maps and a public comment feature will also be added.

As part of the public notice process, South Whitehall will mail postcards to property owners within the industrial district and to nearby neighborhoods up to 1,000 feet from the boundary.

Roadside signage and township communication channels, including social media, will also direct residents to information about the ordinance.

Commissioners praised staff for their proactive approach, noting data centers are a hot topic statewide.

“This is not an ‘if you build it, they will come’ issue — it’s coming,” Commissioner Monica Hodges said, adding South Whitehall will be better prepared than many neighboring municipalities.

The township planning commission will review the draft ordinance Sept. 11, with the board of commissioners expected to hold a public hearing and vote on its adoption at the Oct. 15 meeting.

Residents are encouraged to visit the township website, review the draft and share feedback ahead of the hearing.

The final motion of the evening was the advertisement of a bid for residential structure demolition of 1995 Brickyard Road and 2007 Brickyard Road.

The homes are located on what is to become the proposed 25.7-acre Kohler Ridge Park.

This proposed park will be centered around nature, ecology, heritage and history.