Bethlehem passes data center limits 6-1, but two proposals get in under old rules
Bethlehem City Council voted 6-1 to approve the city’s first data center zoning standards, including a 1,000-foot separation from residential areas and requirements for environmental, water, energy, noise and heat studies. Two data center proposals filed before the ordinance took effect, including a planned Industrial Drive project by Boyle Construction, Paxos and Tensor IQ, will be reviewed under the old rules.
Bethlehem City Council gave final approval to the city’s first data center zoning standards in a 6-1 vote. The ordinance bans data centers in the Planned Industrial district where the Industrial Drive proposal is located, requires a 1,000-foot buffer from residential zones and several community facilities, and mandates studies covering environmental, water, energy, noise and heat impacts. Grid-connected projects must also obtain utility certification of available electric capacity and disclose known effects on electric rates.
Community and Economic Development Director Laura Collins said two proposals were submitted before the ordinance passed and therefore will be reviewed under the prior zoning code. The Industrial Drive project, announced by Boyle Construction, Paxos and Tensor IQ, is projected to require about 120 megawatts; the city has not disclosed details about the second proposal. Mayor J. William Reynolds expressed concern about developers filing before the cutoff, while council member Jo Daniels opposed the final vote, saying the rules did not adequately protect the community.