Public hearing draws strong community response to data center proposal

Franklin County, Pennsylvania -- The Franklin County Commissioners held a public hearing in Chambersburg on Wednesday to discuss a proposed amendment aimed at establishing guidelines for data center development within the county. The amendment seeks to provide municipalities with a framework for managing future data center ordinances, as officials stated that the county's municipal planning code requires them to allow all legal land uses, precluding an outright ban on data centers. Chairman Dean Horst emphasized that the amendment's purpose is to help local governments effectively manage potential development. The proposal includes provisions for campus-style data center development and addresses concerns such as noise control and water usage. However, many residents at the hearing voiced significant concerns about the potential impacts on their daily lives. Bill Hannigan, a resident, highlighted worries about constant noise affecting sleep and quality of life for those living near data centers. Other residents also expressed fears regarding pollution, broader environmental impacts, and a potential strain on the local power grid, citing already rising electricity costs. A contentious point was the amendment's requirement for data centers to operate using 25% renewable energy, which Secretary Robert Ziobrowski suggested might deter companies from choosing Franklin County. Residents, conversely, argued for increasing this renewable energy requirement. Following the strong community response, the council members decided to delay the vote on the amendment and scheduled another public meeting for April 28 at 6 p.m. to continue discussions.