Dickson City shuts down quarrying on west side of Bell Mountain
Dickson City issued a cease-and-desist order to Mountainview DC Realty LLC for unpermitted quarrying on Bell Mountain, a site proposed for data centers and other developments. The borough had previously denied zoning appeals for data centers on this property, a decision that is currently being challenged in court. The developer is now considering a warehouse, which is permitted under existing zoning.
Dickson City issued a cease-and-desist letter in late June to Mountainview DC Realty LLC, a firm operated by businessman Butch Kriger, for unapproved quarrying on the west side of Bell Mountain. A notice of violation followed in July, citing work performed without necessary zoning or planning approvals on the property.
This action was prompted by a tip received in June, leading to an engineer confirming earthwork exceeding an acre, which requires zoning approval. Although Mountainview DC Realty LLC had obtained a stormwater permit from the Lackawanna County Conservation District, it lacked the essential land development approval from Dickson City. Borough Manager Cesare Forconi stated that Kriger, initially believing he had approvals, has since agreed to stop the work and submit the proper documentation.
The 235-acre Bell Mountain property is integral to broader development plans. Companies tied to Kriger Construction Inc. have proposed three natural gas power plants and four data centers across the mountain, including a 100-megawatt power plant and a 147,000-square-foot data center on Mountainview's land. While power plant proceedings are postponed for an environmental assessment, the Dickson City Zoning Hearing Board twice denied appeals for the data centers, a decision now being challenged in court. Dickson City's zoning ordinances do not permit data centers on Bell Mountain. Kriger has now indicated a plan to build a warehouse, which is permitted in the property's highway commercial zoning district.