Damascus closes in on data center ordinance
The Damascus Township Board of Supervisors is progressing on a new data center ordinance. The Planning Commission aims to finalize the proposed ordinance by July 1 for presentation to the Board on July 20. This indicates active development of local regulations for data center facilities.
The Damascus Township Board of Supervisors discussed the ongoing development of a data center ordinance during its June 15 meeting. The township's Planning Commission is working on an amendment to land development procedures and expects to have the proposed ordinance ready by July 1. It is slated for presentation to the Board of Supervisors at their July 20 meeting.
In other township business, the Board reviewed the withdrawal of Ampliform Corp.'s proposed Detore property solar project. The minutes from a June 10 special meeting were adjusted to clearly reflect the complete withdrawal of the application, meaning any resubmission would initiate a new process.
Separately, Honesdale Solar 1 LLC, owned by Coast Energy, requested an extension for its conditional use permit, which currently expires in September 2026. Peter Montgomery and Mustafa Sezgin, representing Coast Energy, cited PPL-related delays and cost increases. They stated Coast Energy would absorb approximately one million dollars in cost increases and expects site upgrades to be completed by October 5, with mobilization by November, targeting a July 2027 completion. The project overlaps into Lebanon Township, and Coast Energy plans to meet with the Lebanon Township board on July 13. The Damascus Township board will decide on the extension request around July 20.