West Manchester Township officials listened to presentations and public comments on a proposed ordinance to establish a data center on the 133-acre Briarwood Golf Course in York County.Township supervisors clarified that they do not have the legal authority to prohibit data centers, as they are governed by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.Developers, including Charlie Courtney from McNees Wallace and Nurick, Michael Kahn and Stephen Gantz from Viridian Partners LLC, and Jeremy Bittinger from Landworks Civil Design, presented their request for the data center site and proposed an overlay zone.They explained the need for a data center in York County, noting that every digital transaction runs through a data center, similar to essential services like sewer, water and electrical utilities.Residents raised concerns about environmental impact, personal privacy, property values, and potential increases in water and electricity rates.Allen Fishel, a resident of West Manchester Township, said, “I know these data centers generate a lot of heat that needs to be cooled, I’m wondering what the environmental impact.”Bittinger from Landworks Civil Design addressed environmental concerns, stating, “It’s handled as a typical sewage from any plant that has to meet the standards of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection — there’s no discharge directly to the stream.”Courtney from McNees Wallace and Nurick highlighted the financial benefits, saying, “They are a very high tax revenue generator with very little impact on the school system.”The board emphasized that the meeting was the first step in a multi-step process, noting that there are currently no drafts, drawings, or plans.Developers stated that the new data center would create 230 jobs with a collective salary of $19 million, offering positions with higher salaries that do not require a bachelor’s degree.
WEST MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP, Pa. —
West Manchester Township officials listened to presentations and public comments on a proposed ordinance to establish a data center on the 133-acre Briarwood Golf Course in York County.
Township supervisors clarified that they do not have the legal authority to prohibit data centers, as they are governed by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.
Developers, including Charlie Courtney from McNees Wallace and Nurick, Michael Kahn and Stephen Gantz from Viridian Partners LLC, and Jeremy Bittinger from Landworks Civil Design, presented their request for the data center site and proposed an overlay zone.
They explained the need for a data center in York County, noting that every digital transaction runs through a data center, similar to essential services like sewer, water and electrical utilities.
Residents raised concerns about environmental impact, personal privacy, property values, and potential increases in water and electricity rates.
Allen Fishel, a resident of West Manchester Township, said, “I know these data centers generate a lot of heat that needs to be cooled, I’m wondering what the environmental impact.”
Bittinger from Landworks Civil Design addressed environmental concerns, stating, “It’s handled as a typical sewage from any plant that has to meet the standards of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection — there’s no discharge directly to the stream.”
Courtney from McNees Wallace and Nurick highlighted the financial benefits, saying, “They are a very high tax revenue generator with very little impact on the school system.”
The board emphasized that the meeting was the first step in a multi-step process, noting that there are currently no drafts, drawings, or plans.
Developers stated that the new data center would create 230 jobs with a collective salary of $19 million, offering positions with higher salaries that do not require a bachelor’s degree.