Scranton to amend zoning to regulate data centers
News ClipScranton Times-Tribune·Archbald, Lackawanna County, PA·3/10/2026
The city of Scranton, Pennsylvania plans to amend its zoning ordinance to regulate data centers. This comes after the Scranton-Abingtons Planning Association, a regional zoning collaboration, advised member municipalities to address data centers on their own. Scranton plans to introduce the proposed zoning amendment at its city council meeting on March 17, after inadvertently posting a public notice about it earlier.
zoningannouncement
Gov: Scranton City Council, Scranton-Abingtons Planning Association (SAPA)
Scranton plans to amend its zoning to regulate data centers, a move prompted by the recent data center boom in the region. The city had not received any data center proposals, but is concerned about the potential impact on water consumption and stormwater runoff from data centers in neighboring municipalities. Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti vowed to protect the city's interests, stating that any data center development must benefit local families and not burden them with higher utility costs. Meanwhile, several municipalities in the region have already implemented data center standards, covering issues like height restrictions, utility capacity, and environmental impact.