Sharon Planning Commission includes data centers in proposed zoning ordinance

The City of Sharon's planning commission is developing a new zoning ordinance to include regulations for data centers, an update driven by the city's zoning board approving a data center project on Clark Street near downtown. The existing zoning map has not been updated since 2006. The proposed ordinance would introduce modern language, specifically regulating future data center projects. The data center project, planned by Keel Infrastructure, is set to break ground in October. Daniel Bowling, a community planner from Mackin Engineering, presented the proposed map to residents, highlighting that the new ordinance would modernize city zoning by removing outdated business categories and incorporating new ones like data centers. Key restrictions under the proposed ordinance include prohibiting data centers from drawing water from or discharging into the Shenango River, requiring closed-water cooling systems, and setting limits on noise, lighting, and aesthetic impacts. It also includes protections for the city's power grid. City solicitor Brett Stedman clarified that while Pennsylvania law prevents municipalities from banning businesses outright, zoning can control where they are located and regulate their use within the community. Sharon residents have voiced concerns about data centers, with one Change.org petition against the project gathering over 2,100 signatures. Resident Stefanie Blair expressed safety doubts and indicated plans to escalate the issue to the state level. The planning commission is slated to vote on the new zoning ordinance in August after gathering further community feedback.