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Butler Township officials will hold a public hearing this week on two proposed zoning ordinance changes involving the township’s Data Center Overlay District, including an expansion of the district and a reduction in the maximum allowable noise level for data centers.
The Butler Township Board of Supervisors has scheduled the public hearing for Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. at the Butler Township Municipal Building, 211 Broad Street, Ashland.
According to a public notice issued by the township, supervisors will hear comments on proposed Ordinances No. 2026-2 and 2026-3 before considering their enactment.
Proposed Expansion of Data Center Overlay
Ordinance No. 2026-2 would amend Butler Township's zoning map to expand the existing Data Center Overlay within the Interchange (I-1) Zoning District.
The proposed change would designate certain properties along the west side of Interstate 81 and the south side of Route 4007, Gordon Mountain Road, as part of the Data Center Overlay.
According to the notice, the expansion would include Parcel No. 04-09-0037.001 and a portion of Parcel No. 04-09-0037.000. A portion of the latter property identified as Lot 1 and located within the Woodland Conservation (W-C) Zoning District would be excluded from the overlay.
The Data Center Overlay was established under Ordinance No. 2025-3.
Township Proposes Lower Data Center Noise Limit
A second proposal, Ordinance No. 2026-3, would amend the township's regulations governing noise generated by data centers and their accessory facilities.
Under the proposal, the maximum permitted sound level would be reduced from 75 dB(A) to 65 dB(A), measured from the property lines of parcels where a data center or data center accessory facility is located.
The ordinance would amend requirements previously established under Ordinance No. 2025-4 and would also contain repealer, severability, codification and effective-date provisions.
Public Invited to Comment
The August 18 hearing is being held to meet requirements of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code and Butler Township's zoning ordinance. Members of the public will be permitted to ask questions and offer comments regarding the two proposed ordinances.
Copies of the proposed ordinances are available for review during normal business hours at the Butler Township Municipal Building. Copies are also on file at the offices of the Pottsville Republican Herald and the Schuylkill County Law Library at the Schuylkill County Courthouse in Pottsville.
Following the hearing, the Butler Township Board of Supervisors is scheduled to hold its regular public meeting at 6 p.m. on August 18, or immediately following the conclusion of the 3:30 p.m. hearing if it runs later.
Supervisors may consider formally enacting both zoning ordinances during that meeting.