North Beaver Township Zoning Hearing Addresses Data Center Application
A zoning hearing in North Beaver Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, addressed a data center application by Stonebridge. The central issue revolved around whether the application was filed on time with correct fees, which determines if the project falls under zoning rules passed in April or more recent rules from June. No decision was made, but one is expected within 45 days, with the project potentially in jeopardy if the June rules apply.
The Zoning Hearing Board of North Beaver Township in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, convened a hearing regarding Stonebridge's application to construct a data center campus at Powder Mill Works, approximately eight miles from the Ohio border. A portion of the proposed campus would also extend into Mahoning Township.
The primary concern at the hearing was the timely submission and correct fee payment for Stonebridge's application, as this would determine whether the project adheres to zoning regulations passed in April or a more recent set of rules enacted in June. Stonebridge's engineer, Aaron Bodenschatz, testified that the plans were designed to comply with the April ordinance. However, North Beaver Zoning Officer Bob Grimm stated that the application was rejected due to insufficient fees, specifically a missing $3,000 escrow fee required by Lawrence County, despite a $120 township fee and a $290 county fee being paid.
Stonebridge lawyer Shawn Gallagher questioned the escrow fee requirement, while North Beaver Solicitor Lou Perrotta highlighted a memo from Lawrence County detailing the need for the escrow. The board did not render a decision on the validity of the application's denial at the hearing but indicated that a ruling is anticipated within 45 days. A similar hearing is scheduled for Mahoning Township. A representative for Stonebridge expressed concern that if the project is forced to comply with the June zoning rules, "we might not have a project."