Dickson City denies data center developer’s zoning challenge

The Dickson City Zoning Hearing Board voted 3-0 to deny an appeal filed by Dickson City Development LLC, upholding the borough's data center regulations. The developer, linked to Kriger Construction Inc., had sought to invalidate a February 12 ordinance that defines and restricts data centers as special exceptions within the borough's light manufacturing zoning district, specifically limiting them to Enterprise Street and land southeast of Railroad Street. The developer's attorney, Michael Mey, argued that the ordinance contained "self-defeating deficiencies" and that the designated manufacturing district lacked sufficient available land and utilities, particularly high-voltage power lines, compared to Bell Mountain where his client proposes to build four data centers and at least three power plants.

Dickson City Solicitor Bill Jones and borough Planner Thomas Shepstone defended the ordinance, testifying that data centers constitute "digital manufacturing" and that 70-plus acres, including 8-10 "very developable" acres, exist in the light manufacturing zone. Shepstone also asserted that connecting power to the site is the developer's responsibility. The developer also has an ongoing land use appeal related to the ordinance and the denial of its data center applications in the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas. The Zoning Hearing Board is expected to issue a written decision within 45 days.