Luzerne County Planning Commission continues review of data center zoning amendment

The Luzerne County Planning Commission is continuing its review of a proposed data center zoning amendment that would apply to 19 municipalities within the county. During its recent meeting, the commission discussed revisions including increasing the required landscape buffer width from 50 to 100 feet, implementing time limits for replacing dead or inadequate trees, and adding provisions for using existing vegetation. New wording was also added to mandate a water contingency plan during drought emergencies, and aesthetic requirements for fully enclosed or shielded lighting equipment were proposed. A significant point of discussion involved community incentive packages, with the updated version mandating them for data centers at least 20,000 square feet, and allowing them for smaller facilities. However, some commission members advocated for requiring incentive packages regardless of data center size to compensate affected municipalities. While the data center amendment discussion will resume at the commission's May 14 meeting, the commission did vote to recommend two other amendments to the county council for final approval. One requires a 30-foot buffer yard for new industrial developments abutting residential areas. The second amendment to the Subdivision/Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) requires large-scale developers on public transportation routes to seek input from the county Transportation Authority or Hazleton Public Transit to ensure suitable accommodations for buses and passengers. County GIS, Planning, and Zoning Director Dan Reese highlighted that the council will need to introduce these amendments, hold public hearings, and conduct final votes for their passage.