County seeks state funding to update SAPA plan, zoning ordinances

Lackawanna County is pursuing state grant funding to overhaul the Scranton-Abingtons Planning Association's (SAPA) 2009 comprehensive plan and the zoning ordinances of its nine member communities. This initiative, referred to as "SAPA 2.0" by county Planning Director Mary Liz Donato, is designed to incorporate regulations for emerging land uses, particularly artificial intelligence data centers, which are currently not addressed in existing plans. The updated plan will enable SAPA members, including Scranton, Clarks Green, Clarks Summit, Dalton, Dunmore, Newton Twp., South Abington Twp., Waverly Twp., and West Abington Twp., to strategically manage development within their collective region. Data centers are identified as a "controversial and often undesirable land use" that has seen an "explosion of data center proposals" in the broader area. Recognizing that the comprehensive update will take several years, county planning officials have recommended that individual SAPA municipalities develop their own interim data center regulations. Last week, County Commissioners Thom Welby, Bill Gaughan, and Chris Chermak approved an application for $90,000 in state grant funding from the Department of Community and Economic Development's Municipal Assistance Program, covering half of the estimated $180,000 project cost. The county will contribute an additional $35,000, with SAPA members covering the remainder to hire a consultant. Donato confirmed that all nine SAPA members will provide input on the updated plan, ensuring their autonomy in deciding what development is permitted within their respective borders. The project, if funding is secured, is expected to commence early next year and take approximately two years to complete.