Luzerne County Judge Upholds Hazle Township Data Center Denial
A Luzerne County judge upheld Hazle Township's denial of a land use application for a proposed 15-building data center project, 'Project Hazelnut'. The developer, who had appealed the supervisors' decision, is now required to seek a special exemption from the Hazle Township Zoning Board.
A Luzerne County judge recently ruled in favor of Hazle Township, upholding its decision to deny a land use application for a proposed 15-building data center project. The developer, operating under the codename 'Project Hazelnut', plans to construct the facilities off Tomhicken Road, bordering Humboldt Industrial Park.
The project, which is part of Pennsylvania's fast-track program for expedited permitting, faced a setback last year when Hazle Township supervisors denied its land use application. The developer subsequently appealed this denial to the county court.
Judge Lesa Gelb, in her recent ruling, affirmed the supervisors' initial decision. However, she also ordered the developer to present their application to the Hazle Township Zoning Board, where they will now be required to seek a special exemption for the project.