Chanceford supervisors adopt two ordinances to define and regulate data centers

The Chanceford Township Board of Supervisors adopted two ordinances on Jan. 5 that establish how data centers — both principal and accessory facilities — may be defined and regulated in the township.

Bradley Smith moved to enact ORDINANCE NO. 2026-1, which amends the zoning ordinance to define and regulate data center uses; Kent Heffner seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Later in the meeting Kent Heffner moved to enact ORDINANCE NO. 2026-2, which defines and regulates principal and accessory data center uses; Bradley Smith seconded and the motion carried unanimously. The actions occurred during a public hearing the board convened at the Jan. 5 session.

Why it matters: the ordinances add land‑use rules for data centers, which can affect where large cooling and power‑intensive facilities are allowed to locate and what conditions apply. The board did not record additional substantive debate or public comment on the ordinances at the hearing.

Votes at a glance

- ORDINANCE NO. 2026-1 (amend zoning to define/regulate data center uses): motion by Bradley Smith; seconded by Kent Heffner; outcome: adopted unanimously.

- ORDINANCE NO. 2026-2 (define/regulate principal and accessory data center uses): motion by Kent Heffner; seconded by Bradley Smith; outcome: adopted unanimously.

Other board actions and business

- Planning-module resolution for Stephen Fisher (Resolution 2026-1): Chairman Kent Heffner moved to adopt, seconded by Bradley Smith; carried unanimously. This approves the planning module submission associated with Stephen Fisher.

- Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement for joint tax collection with Felton Borough (Resolution 2026-2): Bradley Smith moved; Lawrence Hare seconded; carried unanimously.

- Holiday overtime pay: Secretary Leah Geesey asked for clarification after the road crew was called in during the holiday week. Lawrence Hare moved to authorize the Secretary to pay double-time holiday overtime for the payroll week of Jan. 7, 2026; Bradley Smith seconded. Chairman Kent Heffner abstained; the board proceeded and authorized the payment. The supervisors agreed to review employee‑handbook language on comp time, vacation and sick leave.

- Bank signature update: supervisors signed ACNB forms to remove Eric Bacon and add Lawrence Hare as an authorized signer.

- Approval of minutes and bills: the board approved the Dec. 8, 2025 minutes and approved payment of bills in a manner approved by law; both motions carried by recorded motions and seconds.

What was reported elsewhere in the meeting

- Emergency services: Ron Witmer reported New Bridgeville Fire Co. responded to 42 calls in December, including 20 medical responses, and recorded 434 total calls for 2025. Kent Heffner said Southern York County EMS logged 140 calls in November, 51 of which were in the township; mutual aid was used eight times.

- Roads and equipment: Heffner reported road crews plowed and spread anti‑skid during storms, spread stones on dirt roads, pretreated paved roads before predicted icing and cleared trees and brush. A CAT Payloader displayed a brake‑pressure warning; Cleveland Brothers diagnosed the issue and ordered parts.

Next steps and administrative items

- A zoning hearing for David Gemmill and G&G Partnership is scheduled for Jan. 26, 2026, at 7 p.m. at the township building.

- Solicitor John Wilson and Grant Anderson will schedule a meeting in the coming days to follow up on the P P & L substation matter.

The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.