Newport Twp. establishes own zoning board, writes rules for data centers
Newport Township has established its own zoning hearing board and enacted new zoning rules specifically for data centers, taking over regulatory control from Luzerne County. The new ordinance dictates where data centers can be located, mandates setbacks from residential areas, and requires developers to submit detailed plans covering environmental, utility, and noise impacts.
Newport Township in Northeast Pennsylvania has formed its own zoning hearing board and adopted a new zoning ordinance to regulate data center development, signaling a shift from its longstanding reliance on Luzerne County for such matters. Commissioner Mike Roke stated the move, two years in the making, was driven by a desire for greater local control, independent of data center considerations.
The new Newport Twp. Zoning Hearing Board held its initial organizational meeting, where Magisterial District Judge Donald Whittaker administered oaths of office to Scott Brennan (chairman), David Stashik (vice chair), and Jason Tarnowski (secretary), with Robert Tarnowski serving as an alternate. Board solicitor Myer Messinger confirmed no data center proposals are currently on file, despite the township's proactive regulatory changes.
In April, the Newport Twp. Commissioners approved a new zoning ordinance and map specifically addressing data centers. These facilities will now only be permitted in mixed-use zoning districts and must be on sites with existing or accessible public electric and utility infrastructure. Key provisions include a 600-foot setback from residential districts, schools, or parks, a 100-foot native evergreen vegetative buffer, and requirements for developers to submit comprehensive plans for fire protection, emergency operations, utility coordination, hydrologic, noise, and environmental impacts, telecommunications infrastructure, and community benefits. Data centers must also have at least two points of ingress and egress.