Scott Twp. approves zoning changes addressing data center, solar farm development

Scott Township supervisors recently passed a zoning amendment to regulate data centers and solar farms. The new ordinance restricts these developments to the township’s industrial zone, specifically the northwest corner near Interstate 81. This action was taken proactively in response to increasing data center proposals throughout Lackawanna County, though no specific projects have been formally submitted in Scott Township itself. The amendment imposes stringent conditions on data centers, requiring substantial setbacks from residential properties (400 feet) and limiting building height to 70 feet. Environmental protections include mandatory closed-loop cooling systems, a prohibition on using well water for cooling, a 100-foot woodland buffer, and requirements for water feasibility, quality baseline, and air quality studies. Furthermore, data center developers must secure an agreement from their electric service provider ensuring adequate capacity for existing residents and businesses and outlining project-attributable electricity rates and impacts. Noise levels are also strictly regulated with preliminary and post-construction sound studies. Despite these measures, residents expressed dissatisfaction at public hearings, arguing the ordinance does not go far enough. Residents like Herb Grayek raised concerns about potential impacts on private wells and noise pollution, while Laura Konosky criticized insufficient setbacks and noise level provisions, advocating for a "curative amendment." Supervisors, including Chairman Michael Giannetta and Brian Brenzel, acknowledged the township's legal obligation to permit data center development but suggested the new restrictions, particularly limiting them to the industrial zone, make development "virtually impossible." Giannetta emphasized the amendment's flexibility for future revisions and framed it as a proactive step to avoid being "caught off guard," while cautioning against declaring existing zoning invalid due to potential legal challenges.