York County Council Passes Second Reading of $1.5 Billion Biopharma Deal, Data Center Moratorium

York County Council voted 7-0 on all major items during a special called meeting Monday evening at the York County Government Center, capping nearly two hours of public testimony with unanimous approval of a landmark incentive agreement for a global biopharmaceutical company and a nine-month pause on new data center approvals across unincorporated parts of the county.

The June 29 meeting, called specifically to address the accelerated economic development deal and the data center moratorium, drew significant public participation before council acted on each item.

Project Palmetto Rock

The centerpiece of the evening was the second reading of a fee-in-lieu of ad valorem tax and incentive agreement with the company identified as Project Palmetto Rock. The agreement authorizes York County to provide payment of certain fees in lieu of ad valorem taxes, along with special source revenue credits, and establishes or maintains a multi-county industrial and business park in connection with the project.

According to the agenda, Project Palmetto Rock represents an estimated $1.5 billion investment by a global biopharmaceutical company seeking to establish a corporate headquarters and develop a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in York County. The project is projected to create more than 1,200 new high-wage jobs.

After roughly two hours of public hearing on the matter, council passed second reading of the agreement 7-0.

Data Center Moratorium

Council also passed second reading 7-0 of an ordinance establishing a temporary nine-month moratorium on data center development in unincorporated York County. The moratorium halts consideration or issuance of special exceptions, conditional use approvals, site plan acceptances, and all other land use or development approvals for data centers while the county studies the impact of such facilities on critical resources, neighboring properties and infrastructure.

The ordinance also provides for a possible extension of the moratorium period by further council resolution if the county determines additional time is needed to complete its studies. A public hearing on the data center moratorium is scheduled for July 13.

Bailey’s Run Road Repairs

Council voted 7-0 to approve collection of cash surety bonds to fund road repair and completion work in Bailey’s Run subdivision, covering Phases 4, 5 and 6. The County Manager’s Office and the Engineering Department recommended the action after the developer defaulted on final roadway construction improvement bond conditions. Collecting the deposited cash bonds allows the county to repair and bring the roads up to York County standards, protecting residents in the subdivision.

Executive Session

Council entered executive session to receive legal advice on general litigation matters and to consider a settlement agreement related to Project No. 11149-014, Tract 97. No action from executive session was reported publicly before adjournment.

The next York County Council meeting is scheduled for July 13, when the data center moratorium public hearing will be held.