CLINTON TOWNSHIP, PA — Data center projects in Clinton Township would face new rules regarding dimensional standards, noise levels and light levels, according to a draft discussed at a Thursday, July 30 public hearing. Those rules, however, would only apply to newly-proposed projects, leaving the currently proposed Linde Corp. data center proposal to proceed under the township’s current regulatory climate.

The ordinance, first submitted to the board of supervisors by interim solicitor Ronald Bugaj on June 5, has undergone revisions after attorney Thomas Wyatt (who represents resident James Zefran) collaborated with Bugaj to create a second draft.

Supervisor Ken Coles, who replaced Mark Lopatofsky as chairperson of the board of supervisors last month, said that the township had received comments on the amendment by the public in addition to a draft amendment created by Clinton Township resident Chelsea Waisanen and Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 111 candidate Kyle Devlin. The current text of the proposed amendment is available on Clinton Township’s website.

The amendment covers items such as dimensional standards and impact analyses, which are under the standard jurisdiction of a Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO). However, the amendment also covers items such as the “expansion, intensification and change of use,” and noise and light levels, which according to experts, are typically contained in a zoning ordinance.

Coles responded to an inquiry into these regulations by the River Reporter, saying that the SALDO “is trying to do the best of both worlds.”

“In so many areas such as ours, it’s just almost impossible to create a zoning atmosphere, so we are taking what we can legally and putting it in [the amendment] to protect the people,” he continued.

While all members of the board of supervisors were present at the hearing, Bugaj did not attend. Coles explained that Bugaj’s absence was due to the “legal ramifications of adopting this ordinance.”

Coles later elaborated, saying that it was his suggestion that Bugaj attend fewer meetings as the township is “spending a fortune” on legal fees and was trying to cut down on this expense. Coles noted that he did not consult the other supervisors in his conversation with Bugaj. He said that both he and Bugaj felt the supervisors would be able to conduct a public hearing without legal counsel, as it was “cut and dry.”

Billing statements obtained by the River Reporter in a Right-to-Know (RTK) request show that from his appointment as solicitor on May 29 to July 8, Bugaj has charged Clinton Township $16,287.50 for his legal services. Between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2025, former solicitor Jeffery Treat charged the township between $2,300 and $3,200 in legal fees for each year. In 2026, prior to his ouster, Treat’s monthly billing increased to $600 in April and $900 in May, likely reflecting the extra work associated with the data center proposal.

Coles explained to attendees that suggested changes to the amendment would be considered and passed on to Bugaj, who would then draft a final copy to be sent to the Wayne County Planning Commission and the Clinton Township Planning Commission on Monday, August 3. If no changes are made to the ordinance, Coles said the supervisors intend to pass the amendment at their September 9 meeting.

Despite the potential of the amendment to be enacted prior to any decision on the Linde Corporation’s data center proposal, the amendment is not likely to apply to the Linde proposal, as the proposal was submitted on April 30.

The next public hearing on the SALDO amendment will take place on September 2.