JACKSON TWP — About 50 people packed into the township’s municipal building Thursday, Aug. 20, to express concern about the supervisors’ approach to development in their community.

Residents watched as supervisors unanimously approved two new residential developments — 121 townhomes and 56 single family lots — and adjusted an ordinance setting parameters around the development of future data centers and solar farms, despite some of their objections.

“The intent of this ordinance is not to promote or encourage data centers,” said Chris Rearick, township manager. “It’s the opposite.”

The township cannot ban data centers or solar farms, but it can set limits around their presence, he said. The change passed Tuesday allows the two types of facilities, but requires special regulations and limits them to the township’s large scale industrial zone.

The change limits development of such facilities to areas in the township with the least impact and likelihood to see development, Rearick said.

Brandi Sanders, a resident, said it would be a better path for the township to have imposed a temporary moratorium on data center approvals.

“I didn’t think we should walk away thinking the township was protecting us from data centers,” Sanders said. “It would actually create a regulatory role by which one could be approved.”

Nikki Colton, township planning director, said the restrictions in the ordinance include vibration control, air quality and energy requirements.

The first of two developments approved was Hartmann Estates, a 56 single-family lot development on a 122.97-acre site, which is currently the Hartmann’s Deep Valley Golf Course.

Developers agreed to the township’s condition to open up access to Seneca Valley School District’s campus through Hartmann Road with an access easement.

The township also gave final approval for two phases of Wolff Property’s 31-acre, 121-home planned development located along Pattison Street and Hartzell Road.

Before the vote, the public hearing portion of the meeting elicited numerous comments from residents voicing concern about the impact of rapid growth and new developments on the area.

“It’s building too fast and quick,” said Jeremy Aurisda. “You can’t handle it right now.”