Fayette residents seek more stringent data center ordinance standards
Fayette County residents are urging commissioners to strengthen a proposed data center ordinance, particularly by restoring larger setbacks and lowering allowable noise levels. Commissioners plan to vote on scheduling a public hearing in November, while the ordinance remains under review.
Residents across Fayette County, including Shelley Meyers of Dunbar Township and Ohiopyle resident Annelise Carleton-Hug, asked county commissioners to reject planning commission recommendations they believe would weaken proposed data center standards. Proposed changes would reduce setbacks from homes from 1,000 feet to as little as 500 feet and allow higher noise levels.
Mountain Watershed Association organizer Nate Ricketts said a preliminary survey found that 80% of respondents were unwilling to live at any comfortable distance from a data center. Commissioners Harry "Dutch" Kaufman, Vince Vicites and Scott Dunn said they would review the draft before scheduling a public hearing, with a scheduling vote planned for November. Vicites supported stringent setbacks, while Dunn cautioned that overly restrictive rules could be viewed as exclusionary zoning and invite legal action. Residents also requested provisions encouraging solar and other more sustainable energy sources.