DALLAS TWP. — Supervisors on Tuesday voted to amend the township’s data center ordinance to modify setbacks from property lines after officials determined the original ordinance was too restrictive.
The meeting was held at the Dallas High School auditorium because the controversial topic generally draws a large crowd, but fewer people than expected showed up and only a few residents spoke.
The primary change to the ordinance was reducing the setback of any proposed data center to 400 feet from property lines instead of the original 750 feet. The setback from “sensitive” areas was reduced from 1,500 feet to 450 feet.
“It’s not perfect, but it’s strong,” said Jennifer Franza, 36, an Upper Demunds Road resident who has been a citizen advocate on the data center issue.
Board members confer prior to a Dallas Twp. data center ordinance hearing at Dallas High School on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
She addressed her comments to the audience, then urged supervisors to approve the amendment.
“We need to continue to work together. We all want to protect our community. The work doesn’t end tonight,” Franza said.
Supervisors Elizabeth Martin, Robert Wagner and William Grant later voted unanimously to approve the amendment.
The supervisors in March passed a zoning ordinance that has been tweaked several times amid strong citizens’ concern about the possibility of a data center coming to Dallas Twp.
Board members present a graphic during a Dallas Twp. data center ordinance hearing at Dallas High School on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Township supervisors have said municipalities can’t outright ban a legal entity through zoning and must at least provide somewhere for them to operate with restrictions.
Dallas Twp.’s amendment limits data centers to I-1 industrial zones and prohibits them in residential, agricultural and commercial zones.
That would leave little room for a data center within the 19 square miles of Dallas Twp.
There are only two I-1 zones in Dallas Twp. One is an area between Memorial Highway and Troutbrook Drive and between Rice Drive and Lower Demunds Road. The former Offset Paperback property and Rice’s Food Equipment are located in that zone. The other I-1 zone is a small area between Misericordia University and Irem Country Club, where there is an existing warehouse complex.
State Rep. Brenda Pugh, R-120, of Dallas Twp., and her Democratic challenger Fern Leard both addressed the crowd and supervisors before their vote.
Supervisors have insisted they aren’t aware of any applications for a data center in the township and they have just been trying to be proactive with the ordinance.
Board members listen during the public comment section during a Dallas Twp. data center ordinance hearing at Dallas High School on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Pa. State Rep. candiate Fern Leard speaks during a Dallas Twp. data center ordinance hearing at Dallas High School on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Hannah Butterwick speaks during a Dallas Twp. data center ordinance hearing at Dallas High School on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Junell Guarneri addresses the audience during a Dallas Twp. data center ordinance hearing at Dallas High School on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Community members look on during a Dallas Twp. data center ordinance hearing at Dallas High School on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Board members confer prior to a Dallas Twp. data center ordinance hearing at Dallas High School on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Board members present a graphic during a Dallas Twp. data center ordinance hearing at Dallas High School on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Jennifer Franza speaks during a Dallas Twp. data center ordinance hearing at Dallas High School on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
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Board members listen during the public comment section during a Dallas Twp. data center ordinance hearing at Dallas High School on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)