South Strabane to hold hearing before data center ordinance vote
South Strabane Township is holding a public hearing and a subsequent special meeting to vote on a proposed ordinance regulating data center development. The ordinance, which includes specific setbacks and lot size requirements, follows public frustration and calls from residents to protect their health and well-being from potential light, noise, and groundwater pollution.
South Strabane Township is set to hold a public hearing and a special meeting on Tuesday night to address a proposed ordinance governing data center development. The ordinance, which will be followed by a vote, aims to enact comprehensive updates to the township's zoning regulations specifically for data centers.
The initiative comes after significant public outcry since the fall when a 1,400-acre property off Zediker Station Road, owned by CNX Resources, was listed by real estate firm JLL as a prime location for a commercial-scale data center project. Residents have expressed near-unanimous opposition, displaying "no data centers in South Strabane" signs and demanding strict limits on construction due to concerns over light, noise, and groundwater pollution.
Solicitor Dennis Makel stated that this ordinance is part of a "triumvirate" of regulations, including those for noise, dust, and fossil fuel energy generation, which have been under review since late 2025. He assured the planning commission that once enacted, these ordinances would provide South Strabane with some of the commonwealth's most comprehensive data center regulations, prioritizing resident protection. Key provisions include a 1,500-foot setback from residential structures, a 30-acre minimum lot size, and height restrictions.