Wyoming County planners discuss proposed SALDO changes for data centers
The Wyoming County Planning Commission continued its discussion on a proposed amendment to the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) to regulate future data center development. The commission did not vote but asked for a consolidated document of revisions for next month, including a change to use "high intensity non-residential development" to broaden the scope. Public opposition was voiced, and concerns about litigation exposure were noted.
The Wyoming County Planning Commission continued its discussion regarding a proposed amendment to the county's Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO), aimed at regulating potential data center development. Following an extended discussion involving county officials and the public, the commission decided not to vote on recommending the amendment, instead requesting Planning Director Matthew Jones to consolidate two sets of proposed revisions from himself and county solicitor Paul Litwin into a single document for review at their next meeting.
A key modification made to the proposed revisions was the decision to replace "data centers" with the term "high intensity non-residential development." This change is intended to make the revised regulations applicable to a broader range of large-scale developments, as defined in the SALDO, not solely data centers. The differing approaches taken by Jones, who focused on specific thresholds for sound, water, and electricity usage, and Litwin, who emphasized pre-approval documentation, mitigation measures, and coordination with emergency services, were central to the debate.
County solicitor Paul Litwin raised "significant concerns about litigation exposure" related to the proposed amendment, noting that many appeals and lawsuits concerning data centers tend to focus on zoning disputes, an area where Wyoming County lacks a county-wide ordinance. Members of the public, including Mark Weber of Eaton Township, expressed opposition, urging officials to create comprehensive regulations to deter such developments.
Commission Chairman Randy Ehrenzeller emphasized the need to combine the differing perspectives, stating, "I am not sure it's an either/or. It can't be an either/or." The commission ultimately voted to have Jones present a unified document at the July 15 meeting, incorporating Litwin's legal advice.