Fueled by the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, cloud computing and digital services, data centers are drawing increasing attention from local governments concerned about their potential impact on electricity supplies, water resources, wastewater systems and quality of life in surrounding neighborhoods.

As demand for data centers continues to grow nationwide, municipalities are weighing how to balance economic development with concerns over energy use, water consumption and noise generated by the massive facilities.

For Parkland-area residents, the issue is more than a discussion taking place in another municipality. Communities across the Lehigh Valley, including South Whitehall Township and neighboring Upper Macungie Township, have examined or adopted regulations aimed at addressing the potential impacts data centers can have on infrastructure, public utilities and nearby neighborhoods.

Local officials throughout the region are taking a closer look at whether existing zoning ordinances adequately address facilities that can require substantial amounts of electricity and water while operating around the clock. Concerns frequently focus on electrical demand, water consumption, wastewater capacity, noise from cooling systems and backup generators, and setbacks from residential areas.

Now, Salisbury Township is joining the growing list of municipalities seeking to establish rules before a proposal is submitted.

The Salisbury Township Planning Commission voted 4-0, with three members absent, at its July 22 meeting to recommend approval of proposed changes to the township zoning ordinance governing data centers. The recommendation now heads to the township board of commissioners for further consideration.

Township officials stressed the proposed ordinance is intended to regulate data centers rather than prohibit them.

“If the township did not have a policy concerning data centers, there could be the possibility that a data center could be built if there were no regulations,” township solicitor Jason A. Ulrich told commissioners during a workshop discussion following the commissioners’ July 23 meeting.

At the same meeting, Salisbury Township Director of Community Development Kerry Rabold said it is unlikely the township currently has a site capable of accommodating a data center.

During the planning commission meeting, attorney Jeffrey S. Fleischaker, of Gross McGinley LLP, emphasized the purpose of the ordinance.

“It’s not a ‘no,’” Fleischaker said. “It allows you to regulate it.”

The proposed ordinance defines a data center as a building or group of buildings used primarily to house and operate computers, servers, telecommunications equipment or supporting equipment for processing, transferring and storing data and information. The definition specifically references uses that may include cryptocurrency mining, artificial intelligence, blockchain technology and server farms.

Under the proposal, data centers would require a minimum lot size of 10 acres and a 50-foot buffer yard with evergreen screening. Facilities would also be prohibited within 1,000 feet of a residence, school, place of worship, daycare or life-care facility.

Developers would be required to submit an environmental impact study with any conditional-use application. The study would address expected impacts on public water and sewer systems, including projected water consumption and wastewater discharge into the regional Kline’s Island sewer system.

The ordinance would also require disclosure of anticipated energy consumption, along with details on auxiliary and backup power systems, including emissions and expected noise output.

Noise is a major focus of the proposal. Applicants would need to provide a sound study showing expected sound levels on nearby properties. Data center operations would be required to comply with township noise standards, and buildings would have to incorporate sound-dampening materials or equipment.

Water use is another key concern. The proposed regulations require all data centers to connect to the public water system and prohibit facilities from adversely affecting water availability, flow rates or pressure for residences, farms and businesses within a 2-mile radius. Operators would also be required to use closed-loop cooling systems designed to conserve water.

The ordinance would further require annual reporting on water use, wastewater discharge, electricity consumption, generator use and quarterly sound measurements.

Like regulations adopted or considered elsewhere in the Lehigh Valley, Salisbury’s proposal reflects growing interest among municipalities in preparing for an industry that is expected to expand as demand for artificial intelligence and cloud-based services continues to increase. Officials throughout the region have increasingly focused on ensuring local zoning ordinances address the infrastructure and quality-of-life issues associated with future data center development.