Windsor Township, York County
Elysian Partners floated an AI data center on White Oak Road in 2025, and Windsor Township responded by adopting Ordinance No. 2026-07-01 in July 2026, which allows data centers only by conditional use in its Industrial zone; no application has been filed.
May 19, 2025: Elysian Partners pitched an AI data center for White Oak Road to the supervisors. July 17, 2025: the planning commission reviewed a lot line adjustment for the White Oak Road properties, and the township engineer noted talk of a data center there. August 18, 2025: supervisors sent a text amendment proposed by an interested party to the planning commission. August 21 to November 20, 2025: the planning commission held public discussions and voted 5-0 to move a revised draft forward. February 16, 2026: supervisors agreed on conditional use in the Industrial and General Commercial zones. March 16, 2026: the draft went to the York County Planning Commission, which later declined to recommend it. July 20, 2026: after a public hearing, supervisors adopted Ordinance No. 2026-07-01 and dropped the General Commercial zone. August 17, 2026: Supervisor Saylor said he didn't favor changes for now.
When Elysian presented the White Oak Road idea on May 19, 2025, the township engineer pointed out a water reservoir nearby; Elysian's Kevin Brown said there would be no strain on water and sewer service and no hazardous materials stored or created.
Windsor TownshipOrdinance No. 2026-07-01 requires public water and sewer where available, a water feasibility study covering wells and streams within 1,000 feet, and Susquehanna River Basin Commission approval for projects withdrawing 100,000 gallons a day or consuming 20,000 gallons a day.
Windsor TownshipThe ordinance limits data center noise to 65 dBA at all property lines, requires pre and post construction sound studies, limits generator exercising to weekday daytime hours, and makes the operator pay for township noise testing after a complaint; generators are exempt during documented power outages.
Windsor TownshipApplicants must meet NFPA 75 and 76 fire standards, submit an emergency response plan, and provide any specialized firefighting equipment the local fire service needs, a requirement the York County Planning Commission questioned when it declined to recommend the ordinance.
Windsor TownshipThe ordinance requires an environmental impact assessment that identifies sources of fine particulate matter, volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides from backup power, equipment and trucks, plus copies of any state or federal air permits.
Windsor TownshipElysian's Kevin Brown told supervisors the center would pull directly from a Met-Ed substation with all-new capacity and wouldn't share lines with existing customers.
Windsor TownshipElysian's Kevin Brown said a data center would employ roughly 80 to 120 people, mostly engineers and security staff, after an 18 to 36 month build.
Windsor TownshipTactics: Residents circulated a petition about data centers in summer 2025 and spoke at planning commission and supervisors meetings.
Supervisor Stan Saylor said on July 21, 2025 that he was aware of a petition regarding data centers. Township minutes don't give its organizers, wording or signature count.
In Pennsylvania, the local zoning ordinance sets the route. A conditional use is decided by the elected governing body (supervisors, commissioners or council). A special exception or variance, and an appeal of a zoning officer’s decision, go to the Zoning Hearing Board. Each is a public hearing on a record: affected neighbors can ask for party status, cross-examine witnesses, and appeal. Municipalities can also adopt data center ordinances with enforceable standards.
Know your rights →Organized community opposition is the single most effective check on these projects in Pennsylvania. Show up to hearings, submit comment when it is taken, support legal and expert-witness costs, and press your municipality for a real ordinance. Pennsylvania municipalities cannot simply freeze applications, but a curative amendment under the Planning Code gives them a defined window to fix a defective ordinance.
How communities push back →