{"id":321635,"date":"2026-11-05T11:18:08","date_gmt":"2026-11-05T11:18:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/321635\/"},"modified":"2026-11-05T11:18:08","modified_gmt":"2026-11-05T11:18:08","slug":"lower-merion-looks-to-limit-data-centers-with-a-new-ordinance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/321635\/","title":{"rendered":"Lower Merion looks to limit data centers with a new ordinance"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hi, Lower Merion<\/a>! <\/p>\n

As data center proposals proliferate throughout the region, the township is looking to restrict where they can be built. Here\u2019s what that could look like<\/a>. Also this week, a new Verizon telephone pole<\/a> is in the works in Narberth, Gladwyne Fire Company\u2019s model is being used elsewhere to recruit volunteers<\/a>, plus a new taco joint<\/a> has opened at Ardmore Farmers Market.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Lisa Dukart (lowermerion@inquirer.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n

P.S. We want your feedback! Tell us what you think of the newsletter by taking our survey<\/a> or emailing us back here. <\/p>\n

\"Inquirer<\/p>\n

Inquirer Lower Merion<\/p>\n

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Lower Merion officials are looking to put guardrails in place for any future data center proposals, restricting their development to a former industrial corridor in Bala Cynwyd.<\/p>\n

While there aren\u2019t any data center proposals currently, the township wants any future ones to be limited to the light industrial zoning district along part of the Schuylkill River and a section of Righters Ferry Road.<\/p>\n

The planning commission voted Monday to recommend the proposed draft ordinance, albeit with two changes for consideration. Rather than having data centers be approved by special exception, they suggested requiring conditional use approval. They also wanted to revise the definition of a data center to make it clear that certain telecommunications infrastructure isn\u2019t included.<\/p>\n

The Inquirer\u2019s Denali Sagner looks at what other limits the township wants to put in place and what the process moving forward could look like<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udca1 Community news<\/p>\n

A new telephone pole is slated to go up at the corner of Haverford and Forrest Avenues in Narberth early next year, pending approvals. It\u2019s intended to alleviate Verizon customers\u2019 longtime frustrations with spotty service in the borough<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Montgomery County fire departments are grappling with more calls and fewer volunteer firefighters, forcing some, like Gladwyne Fire Company, to get creative with their recruitment efforts. Recognizing the high cost of living in the community, the company has purchased multiple properties to offer reduced rent to its firefighters. It\u2019s also added a gym in the station. Its model is now being duplicated elsewhere nearby, The Inquirer\u2019s Jess Rohan reports<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Main Line Health, which owns Lankenau Medical Center and Bryn Mawr Hospital, is no longer accepting cash or checks for any transactions, including patient copays and gift shop purchases. Here\u2019s why<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Gov. Josh Shapiro\u2019s campaign stopped in Narberth<\/a> Monday ahead of the Tuesday election, when he overwhelmingly defeated opponent Stacy Garrity<\/a>. Shapiro said that the borough \u201csymbolizes a place of kindness, a place where people from all different walks of life come together, a place where we respect one another, and where we try and lift up our neighbors.\u201d <\/p>\n

The township is expected to release its proposed 2027 budget this week, with the first presentation<\/a> Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Starting Monday and continuing through Nov. 18, Harriton Road<\/a> will be closed between Old Gulph Road and Morris Avenue for bridge repairs on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.<\/p>\n

Work on Wynnedale Road<\/a> is scheduled to begin today, with possible intermittent closures near its intersection with Shady Lane. <\/p>\n

Ardmore plant and gardening shop Plant 4 Good recently moved half a block from its home at 100 Cricket Ave. to 123 Cricket Ave. Its new space will debut Saturday<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Maeve<\/a>, Anthropologie\u2019s popular in-house brand, is opening a standalone store in Ardmore\u2019s Suburban Square today.<\/p>\n

A Kobe Bryant jersey<\/a> that the NBA All-Star wore during his tenure with the Aces sold at auction last week for roughly $2.2 million, making it the highest-ever price tag for a high school jersey sale, according to Bleacher Report<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Have unwanted election signs? You can drop them off at Lower Merion Transfer Station through Nov. 12 for recycling.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\uddfa\ufe0f Other nearby news<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfeb Schools briefing<\/p>\n

Lower Merion is among the best school districts in Pennsylvania for 2027, according to the latest ranking from data firm Niche<\/a>. The district came in number five in the state and got an \u201cA+\u201d grade.<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf7d\ufe0f On our plate<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfb3 Things to do<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfb8 Eggy<\/a>: The jam band will perform for two nights. \u23f0 Friday, Nov. 6 and Saturday, Nov. 7, 8 p.m. \ud83d\udcb5 $35.67-$72.42 \ud83d\udccd Ardmore Music Hall<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc09 How to Train Your Dragon<\/a>: Catch a screening of the 2010 animated film. \u23f0 Saturday, Nov. 7, 11 a.m. \ud83d\udcb5 $6.75-$7.75 \ud83d\udccd Bryn Mawr Film Institute <\/p>\n

\ud83d\udd0e Narberth Scavenger Hunt<\/a>: Gather your team and follow clues on an adventure throughout the borough. \u23f0 Saturday, Nov. 7, 6-9 p.m. \ud83d\udcb5 $25 per person \ud83d\udccd Throughout Narberth, events kick off and end behind Greeks Next Door<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfe1 On the Market<\/p>\n

A seven-bedroom Bryn Mawr estate with a pool<\/a><\/p>\n

Built in the late 1800s, this Bryn Mawr estate was once home to railroad magnate Martin W. Clement, the late president of the Pennsylvania Railroad, according to its listing. Known as Crefeld, the home features original architectural details like lattice-style millwork, crown moldings, and chair rails. Designed for entertaining, the first floor features a large living room, a hall, a family room, a sunroom, and a kitchen with an adjoining butler\u2019s pantry. The home has seven bedrooms as well as an in-ground pool and terrace. There are open houses Nov. 14 from 1 to 3 p.m. and Nov. 15 from 10 a.m. to noon.<\/p>\n

See more photos of the property here.<\/a><\/p>\n

Price: $2.195M | Size: 8,279 SF | Acreage: 1.98<\/p>\n

\ud83d\uddde\ufe0f What other Lower Merion residents are reading this week:<\/p>\n

By submitting your written, visual, and\/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer\u2019s Terms of Use<\/a>, including the grant of rights in Section 10.<\/p>\n

This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer\u2019s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com\/donate<\/a>. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org\/supporters<\/a>.<\/p>\n