Luzerne County Planning Commission continues data center zoning discussion

The Luzerne County Planning Commission is continuing its deliberation on a significant zoning amendment specifically targeting data centers, which will impact 19 municipalities under county zoning authority. During their scheduled meeting, County GIS, Planning, and Zoning Director Dan Reese presented several revisions to the proposed amendment since its last public discussion in March. Key proposed changes include increasing the required landscape buffer width from 50 to 100 feet, which must contain a specific mix of trees and shrubs, and introducing a requirement for data centers to submit a drought contingency plan to be enacted during county-declared water shortages. Additionally, updated provisions address aesthetic concerns, mandating full-cutoff, downward-directed exterior lighting to prevent light sources from being visible from adjacent residential properties. Reese indicated that the commission aims to vote on the amendment at its May 14 meeting after thorough consideration, after which it would proceed to the Luzerne County Council for introduction, a public hearing, and a final vote for passage. While no data center requests are currently pending in the affected municipalities, the amendment seeks to establish clear guidelines for future developments. The agenda for Thursday's meeting also includes separate proposed amendments concerning battery energy storage systems and industrial development buffer yards.