Luzerne County planners advance proposed data center zoning rules

The Luzerne County Planning Commission has voted to recommend a comprehensive zoning amendment for data centers to the County Council, following months of revisions and public feedback. The proposed rules would impact 19 municipalities within Luzerne County that utilize county-level zoning regulations, ensuring guidelines are established before any data center projects are formally introduced. The amendment mandates that all proposed data centers obtain special exception approval from the county Zoning Hearing Board and adhere to a broad range of environmental, operational, and community impact standards. Key provisions include a requirement for developers to host public meetings prior to formal county board reviews and to maintain public-facing websites detailing project specifics, maps, and timelines. Furthermore, the regulations address electronic waste disposal, recycling plans, and strategies to mitigate heat-related impacts from large facilities. A central component of the proposal involves setback requirements. Large "hyperscale" and "major" data centers would generally need to be situated at least 2,000 feet from residential areas, schools, hospitals, and churches, though developers could seek reduced setbacks under specific environmental compliance conditions. Smaller data centers would also face substantial, albeit reduced, setback requirements. Planning Commission member Frank Sindaco lauded the proposal as one of the strongest ordinances he has reviewed. Dan Reese, County GIS, Planning, and Zoning Director, indicated that the County Council is scheduled to commence its review of the proposal in June, with potential for further modifications before a final vote. Separately, the planning commission also recommended a zoning amendment for battery energy storage systems, noting growing interest in such systems within areas like Hunlock Township, which are vital for supporting electrical grids.