Could change to Pa.’s '60s-era planning code make building easier?

Pennsylvania's Legislative Budget and Finance Committee is undertaking a review of the state's 58-year-old Municipalities Planning Code (MPC), following Senate Resolution 211. The MPC serves as a foundational guide for local governments on land use, but critics, including state Sen. Judy Schwank (Berks County), argue it fosters "patchwork development" and is outdated for modern challenges like housing shortages and data center proposals. The review aims to modernize the code, which currently lacks specific guidance for data centers, leading localities like East Manchester Township (York County) to enact their own ordinances with strict setbacks and buffer requirements. However, the initiative faces pushback from some officials who fear a loss of local control over zoning. State Sen. Katie Muth (Montgomery County), who dissented from the resolution, expressed concerns that the study could be biased, leading to "blanket regulations" imposed by the state while her district is experiencing a surge in data center proposals. Conversely, the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs supports the review to encourage intergovernmental cooperation and faster planning processes, though it emphasizes the importance of retaining local land use authority. The committee, staffed with various experts, will collect evidence-based information over the next 180 days to help lawmakers consider potential changes. The recommendations will not be mandates, and the ultimate impact of the review on data center development and local zoning control remains uncertain.