West Penn Township continues to review a draft ordinance that would regulate data center development.

After more discussion, the township’s board of supervisors opted to table any action since Supervisor Tom Ackerman was not in attendance.

The ordinance was once again before supervisors Tuesday morning as they went over comments from the township’s planning commission.

Township solicitor Paul J. Datte said the ordinance would have to go to the township planning commission, county planning commission, and a public hearing would be held to give residents the opportunity to comment.

However, Datte told the board he would not recommend sending the draft ordinance back to both planning commissions until it is a final version that the board is comfortable with.

“I like this ordinance,” Datte said. “I do like the concept of an overlay district.”

Datte said from this point, could look to make some changes, and circulate that to supervisors before their first meeting in April.

Datte said that evening if they’re fine with that draft, they would start the process of providing copies to both planning commissions, and in all likelihood schedule a public hearing that would be advertised.

After more discussion, board Chairman Tony Prudenti said he believes the board should table the matter until its next meeting.

Last month, supervisors also reviewed the draft ordinance, which would permit data centers in industrial districts with a special exception.

At the time, Datte said that data centers would have to be in areas large enough to accommodate them. He added that the township does not have much industrial zoned land large enough to house data centers. He said the centers often require a minimum of 30 to 50 acres.

Datte noted that the biggest issues for data centers are power, water and noise.

“The big thing is power,” Datte said last month. “If they don’t have access to the power, then they’re just going to (relocate) to where they do. Site selection for them is a big deal.”

In February, supervisors agreed to send the draft to the planning commission.

Prudenti noted that Herb Woodring, assistant to the board of supervisors, was given the task of working on the ordinance and thanked him for compiling the information.