Sentinel photo by SAM BAUMGARDNER
Roughly 300 residents from across Mifflin County and beyond attended the meeting regarding a proposed data center in Granville Township Thursday evening at the Granville Fire Company Event Center.

Editor’s note: Deadline restrictions limited the capacity for coverage of Granville Township’s special meeting Thursday night. This article continues coverage of that meeting.

LEWISTOWN — An estimated 300 residents attended a special meeting Thursday evening to discuss a proposed ordinance that would place restrictions on future data center development in Granville Township, voicing concerns ranging from noise and light pollution to water usage and environmental impacts.

Township Solicitor Fred Lighty opened the meeting by outlining provisions of the draft ordinance, which would establish standards for future data center development, including requirements related to building size, environmental impacts, utility usage and operational safeguards. The ordinance remains under development and is being revised based on public feedback. Lighty emphasized that any final adoption would occur at a future public meeting after additional review.

One of the first questions came from Tisha Swanger, of Lewistown, who asked whether the township would pursue a community benefits agreement should a data center proposal move forward.

Lighty said that if a developer submits a preliminary plan, the township would negotiate a community benefits agreement and conduct the process publicly.

Concerns about private well water were raised repeatedly throughout the meeting. In response, Lighty said he plans to revise the ordinance to include additional protections for residents who rely on wells and provisions outlining how potential impacts to groundwater supplies would be addressed.

“I wasn’t aware so many people were on wells,” Lighty said, adding that he would incorporate additional language into the ordinance.

Donald Parkes questioned whether the ordinance adequately protects residents, saying he used an artificial intelligence program to review the draft and identified what he described as 12 areas of concern.

“According to AI, it’s obviously written to accommodate the data center on the proposed parcel rather than protecting the interests of the community and residents it could impact,” Parkes said.

Among his concerns was language permitting construction of a retention pond on agriculturally zoned land.

“I don’t understand why that is even a consideration,” Parkes said. “That is obviously meant to support the industrial site across the road.”

Parkes also cited reports that the area near the suspected project site contains numerous closed depressions, which he said could indicate sinkhole activity. He urged township officials to require traffic and wetlands studies before any development plan is submitted.

Lighty responded that issues related to site design and construction standards are governed through the subdivision and land development process rather than the zoning ordinance.

He added that while he was unfamiliar with the artificial intelligence program Parkes referenced, the ordinance represents what he believes is the maximum level of restriction the township can legally impose.

Cori Hockenberry, of Granville Township, asked why officials had not pursued a curative amendment to the zoning ordinance.

Lighty explained that a curative amendment would require the township to declare part of its existing zoning ordinance invalid, an approach he said he would not recommend.

Resident Melanie Mason expressed concern that the land associated with the rumored project had already been purchased.

Supervisor Chairman William Paige reviewed county property records during the meeting and said the parcel in question had not changed ownership.

The meeting also drew attendees from outside the township. Tony Dastra, of Lancaster County, who said he is running for governor, praised the ordinance and the public process.

“This community should be proud of the work that they did together,” Dastra said, adding that he intends to share the ordinance with officials in his own municipality.

Several residents raised concerns about independent oversight of environmental and energy-related studies that may be required during the development process. In response, Lighty agreed to revise the ordinance to include provisions for third-party review of energy reports.

Based on feedback received Thursday, Lighty said he plans to revise the ordinance by reducing the maximum allowable building height, adding protections for private wells and groundwater supplies, and incorporating additional oversight measures, including third-party review of energy reports.

Once revised, the draft ordinance will be forwarded to the county and state planning commissions for review. Both agencies will have up to 30 days to provide comments and recommendations.

Several residents questioned the timeline and asked whether the review period could be shortened.

“Do they have to take 30 days?” one resident asked.

Lighty said he did not believe the commissions were required to use the entire review period but expected them to do so.

Following the review process, the Granville Township Supervisors are expected to hold another special meeting at the Granville Fire Company Event Center, likely during the second week of July, to continue discussion of the ordinance.