Allentown approves data center ordinance criticized by some as too lenient
Allentown City Council approved a new zoning ordinance regulating where data centers can be developed in the city, despite public criticism that the measure is too lenient. The ordinance requires special exception approval for each project, along with environmental, noise, and waterway studies. Council members who voted in favor pledged to introduce amendments to strengthen the regulations.
Allentown City Council passed Bill 20, a new zoning ordinance establishing regulations for data center development within the city. The vote was 4-2, with Council members Santo Napoli, Cynthia Mota, Jeremy Binder, and Cristian Pungo voting for the bill, and Ce-Ce Gerlach and Natalie Santos voting against it. The ordinance permits data centers by "special exception" in two industrial zoning districts, mandating a public hearing and review by the city zoning hearing board for each proposal.
The new rules prohibit data centers within 75 feet of public streets and 200 feet of residential, civic, or childcare areas. Developers are also required to submit robust landscaping plans and comprehensive environmental, noise, and waterway studies. Public comment largely criticized the ordinance as insufficient, with residents like Alicia Ruthrauff advocating for stricter measures, including requirements for water reuse and recycling.
An attempt by Council member Gerlach for a "municipal curative amendment" to delay the vote and allow city planning staff 180 days to draft a stricter law failed. Council members who supported Bill 20 acknowledged its limitations and vowed to introduce amendments to enhance the ordinance, potentially increasing setback requirements to 500 feet and further restricting noise emissions. The new ordinance will not affect a pending proposal to convert a vacant warehouse at 2401 Emmaus Ave. into a data center, as that application was filed before the ordinance's passage.