Lycoming County Planning Commission gets first look at draft data center amendment -

The Lycoming County Planning Commission recently reviewed a draft of a curative amendment for data centers, marking a crucial step in preparing for the industry's expansion in Pennsylvania. John LaVelle of Entech Engineering Inc., hired to develop the amendment, provided an overview of its contents to commission members, as the document itself was not publicly distributed during the meeting.

This amendment to the county's land development ordinance was initiated in June by the county commissioners at the request of the Lycoming County Planning and Community Development Department. It triggered a 180-day timeframe for its completion and approval. Jason Bogle, chair of the Planning Commission, emphasized that the document is still a draft, subject to revisions.

LaVelle explained that without specific designations for data center use in the county's zoning ordinance, the county was vulnerable to developers choosing any location, due to Pennsylvania's fair share doctrine. The proposed amendment aims to define data center use, designate appropriate development areas, and establish safeguards such as special exception regulations and review standards to ensure compatibility with surrounding communities.

Key topics covered in the amendment include power sources, water supply, permitted zones, setbacks, noise and vibration control, and decommissioning plans. The commission members were tasked with discussing any questions with the planning department before their next meeting to allow for revisions. Public comment hearings are anticipated to begin in mid-November, following a 30-day public comment period.