DAMASCUS TOWNSHIP, PA — A draft ordinance regarding data center development plans in Damascus Township has been added to the township’s website at damascustwp.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/DRAFT-4D-DATA-CENTERS-08-26-26.pdf and is now available for the public to view. 

The Wayne County Planning Commission delivered its comments to Damascus Township on August 7. The Damascus Township Planning Commission has incorporated Wayne County’s comments into the proposed regulation change, as well as recommendations from the township’s solicitor. 

A public hearing was held on October 6; the next meeting of the township supervisors will be Monday, October 19 at 7 p.m.

As previously reported by the River Reporter, any proposed data center must indicate a location inside the industrial zone. The industrial zone is located adjacent to Route 191 and covers 200 acres, or approximately 0.39 percent of the land mass of Damascus Township

A thermal impact plan is required to be submitted with any application. In addition, applications would need to take the following into account: “Data centers shall be a minimum of 1,000 feet from residential uses, residential districts, and/or other sensitive receptors. This distance may be reduced to a range of 500 to 999 feet if the applicant can successfully demonstrate how it will exceed other environmental performance standards including noise levels that do not exceed ambient noise for that area, visual screening and/or aesthetic improvements that mask the data center use and do not contribute to any thermal air changes that would affect the closest sensitive receptors.”

The application for any data center project would also need to include a comprehensive energy use plan and if nonpublic water will be used, a water feasibility study as well as a wastewater feasibility study if there will be a private wastewater disposal system. In any case, no wastewater is to be discharged into surface waters or stormwater systems. 

Noise studies will also be required, both before construction begins (in order to get a baseline reading of ambient sound in the area) and after completion of construction. C weighted noise (dBC) and octave bands (dBZ) have to be maintained at pre-construction levels. Sound level of 50 Db is the maximum permitted, measurable at property line. 

All applications will also need an environmental impact study, an emergency response plan and a community impact analysis. 

In other news 

• The board of supervisors passed a resolution for a supplemental participation agreement is between the township and the PA Municipalities Pension Trust. The township will participate in the commonwealth pension plan for full time employees.
• The board of supervisors passed a resolution allowing for a Vulnerability and Mitigation Plan. This enables the township to utilize the Wayne County Hazard Mitigation plan and to access federal assistance if needed. 
• The board of supervisors passed a resolution allowing the township to apply for the Local Share Account (LSA) Grant of $292,500 for maintenance of the township’s trails. The LSA provides for the distribution of gaming revenues through the Commonwealth Financing Authority.
• Construction of Phase II of the township park and grounds will get underway a week after Columbus Day. The township playground, ballfield, heritage barn and playground parking lot will be closed and off limits until August 2027.
• The Damascus Manor Community Center’s upcoming events include a Trunk or Treat on Friday, October 23.