West Hazleton to vote on wide-ranging restrictions on data centers
West Hazleton Borough Council is considering an ordinance that would impose significant restrictions on data centers, including confining them to Valmont Industrial Park, requiring 25% solar power, and setting setback limits from homes. A public hearing and potential vote on the proposed regulations are scheduled for October 13.
The West Hazleton Borough Council is reviewing a comprehensive 20-page ordinance that seeks to amend the borough's zoning code to implement strict regulations on data center developments. The proposed rules would restrict data centers exclusively to the Valmont Industrial Park, which is zoned M-2 for manufacturing.
Key provisions of the ordinance include a requirement for data centers to generate at least 25% of their annual power from solar energy and to ensure all roofs are solar-ready. Developers would also need to obtain certifications regarding the availability of electricity and water from the Hazleton City Authority, and would be limited to closed-loop cooling systems unless a more water and energy-efficient alternative is demonstrated. Hyperscale data centers, defined as facilities over 100,000 square feet, would need to be located at least 2,500 feet from residential areas, while smaller data centers would require a minimum 1,500-foot buffer.
Further environmental requirements mandate three noise studies, reports on vibrations, heat plumes, and comprehensive environmental impact statements. Developers would also be required to build 6-foot earthen berms around facilities (or decorative walls/hedges), adhere to specific architectural guidelines, and create public-facing websites about their projects. Additionally, the ordinance outlines requirements for emergency response plans, battery storage compliance with NFPA standards, and a thermal impact reduction plan. Developers must also provide a bond to cover decommissioning costs.
The Borough Manager, James Schweitzer, stated that the council consulted ordinances from other municipalities and borrowed elements from a Luzerne County Council ordinance. A public hearing on the proposed regulations is scheduled for October 13 at 5:30 p.m., with a potential vote by the council following at 6 p.m.