Recent Updates
September Visit to Data Center Alley
Loudon County, VA
All the sound you hear was generated by the data centers. No generators were running during our visit.
September 3, 2026
Residents submitted a suggested revised draft ordinance to the Township for review. The letter is below and the draft ordinance is to the right.
Dear Supervisors and Planning Commission Members,
Attached is a compilation of observations, recommendations, and proposed ordinance revisions developed through extensive review of Township ordinances, planning documents, publicly available technical studies, RTK responses, and project-related filings.
The materials represent the collective efforts of many concerned residents from South Hanover Township and surrounding communities who have spent the past several months reviewing the potential impacts of large-scale data center development and evaluating ways to strengthen protections for residents, natural resources, infrastructure, and the long-term interests of the Township.
The recommendations focus on topics including:
- Consistency with the Township's 2019 Comprehensive Plan;
- Compatibility with existing residential neighborhoods;
- Protection of water resources and the Swatara Creek corridor;
- Property value and homeowner protections;
- Geotechnical, groundwater, and quarry-related concerns;
- Long-term monitoring, enforcement, and accountability;
- Utility and infrastructure impacts;
- Transparency and public engagement.
The intent of this submission is to provide a consolidated resource that may assist the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, Township staff, consultants, and legal counsel as they continue evaluating and refining the proposed Data Center Overlay Ordinance.
We respectfully request that the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission review the attached materials and consider incorporating those recommendations deemed appropriate to protect the long-term health, safety, welfare, and character of South Hanover Township.
Thank you for your consideration and for your continued service to the community.
Respectfully,
Write Here...
On August 7, 2026 a series of questions was sent to the Board of Supervisors via email pertaining to the SLR Noise Study.
On August 10, 2026 this response was received:
Data Center Ordinance Adoption has been temporarily paused.
Attend the Board of Supervisors Meeting
on August 11, 2026 at 6:30 pm
to share your concerns and suggested changes!
On July 1, 2026, the draft ordinance was approved for publication.
The ordinance can be viewed here.
This does not approve the data center application, but sets guidelines that must be followed.
June 23, 2026: Data Center Application and Validity Challenge Submitted to Township
What this means: A data center application was submitted to construct two data center buildings on the former Pennsy Quarry parcel. Because the Township has no data center ordinance in place, the underlying Industrial Park zoning regulations apply. Resident protections in this are virtually non-existent and only require 100' building setback, no water resource protections, limited noise protections, etc. The two positives are the 40' building height limit, no allowance for accessories and that access cannot be through residential development.
The Validity Challenge is to allow data center use on the additional 11 parcels under contract by The Hanover Company.
Note: The warehouse plan is NOT withdrawn.
June 9, 2026: Draft Ordinance Tabled
At the June 9th Board of Supervisors meeting, the solicitor stated that the Board was tabling the draft ordinance for revision. There was no discussion. We do not know what the Board is reviewing for changes.
Additional info from the June 9th meeting:
1. The Board stated it was they who added the six residential parcels. We still do not know when, why or how.
2. The Board and their solicitor stated the draft was "conditional use". This is incorrect. The draft allows for data centers by-right (no oversight as long as it meets the ordinance and NO PUBLIC HEARING).