Pennsylvania Lawmaker Proposes Pause on Data Center Applications

State Representative Paul Friel proposed House Bill 2496 to prevent developers from rushing data center applications before municipalities can update zoning ordinances. The bill, which has passed the Pennsylvania House and awaits a Senate floor vote, would grant local governments the authority to initiate a 180-day pause on such applications to finalize new regulations.

This legislative push follows actions by MCD 7, LLC, which submitted two data center applications in Limerick, Pennsylvania, on July 7. These filings occurred hours before the Limerick Township Supervisors voted to adopt more restrictive zoning laws. The new plans divide a previously proposed 2.8-million-square-foot project on Lightcap Road into two phases totaling 2.7 million square feet, starting with one 300,000-square-foot building.

A similar pattern emerged in Upper Hanover Township, where a data center application was filed immediately before the Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a more stringent ordinance.