Hatboro Borough’s Planning Commission agenda for Tuesday, November 10, includes a review of a Data Center Ordinance Draft.

According to borough manager Diane Hegele, a rumor has been circulating which claims that a new data center is being proposed near Crooked Billet School in the northeast quadrant of Hatboro.

“Those rumors are false. The county has suggested that area, but there are forthcoming changes that will make it less desirable,” she said. “I’m confident that we are going to approve the ordinance with the original zoning in it. We have to offer this type of zoning. If we don’t, a data center could challenge us. The ordinance gives the borough control over the regulations that govern the process.”

Hegele said that the borough currently doesn’t have any zoning in place right now for a data center.

“We have to allow for all types of uses, and the data center came up during a zoning rewrite should we get an application for a data center. That’s what this ordinance is,” she said. “Tonight, the borough’s Planning Commission will review two letters, one from the Montgomery County Planning Commission, the other from the borough planner. Then they’ll decide if they’re comfortable. If they are, they’ll recommend the letters go to council. If not, they may come back to the Planning Commission in December.”

Tonight’s review is required by the Municipalities Planning Code. Hegele said tonight’s meeting will likely be broadcast via Facebook Live, and that borough residents can expect a follow-up post sometime tomorrow morning.

More to come.

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