Sharon City Council okays zoning guardrails on data centers
Sharon City Council approved zoning changes to regulate new data center construction within city limits. These changes address concerns regarding location, operation, water, electricity, noise, and lighting, aiming to proactively manage future developments. The city cannot ban data centers but seeks to ensure they adhere to specific criteria.
Sharon City Council has approved several zoning changes aimed at regulating the construction and operation of new data centers within city limits. These proactive measures were fast-tracked by the council, as explained by City Manager Bob Fiscus, to update the current zoning ordinance and close any potential loopholes before additional data centers are established.
City Solicitor Brett Stedman clarified that the amendments will allow the city to designate appropriate industrial zoning districts for data centers and impose specific regulations, criteria, and requirements for their construction and operation. Stedman noted that while outright bans are illegal under Pennsylvania law, these changes represent the city's best effort to control data center development.
The new regulations specifically address key concerns such as water usage, electricity demands, noise levels, and lighting. Although an existing data center undergoing expansion in Sharon is not legally bound by these new rules, Fiscus stated that the developer has voluntarily agreed to comply with them. Council members expressed their intent to work with developers to ensure that data center developments remain positive for the city.