Dallas Twp. supervisors pass data center ordinance despite claims it’s not tough enough

Dallas Township supervisors voted on Wednesday to approve a revised zoning ordinance aimed at regulating potential data center developments, despite pleas from residents to postpone the decision and enact stronger protections. The vote followed a public hearing held at Dallas High School where community members expressed concerns about the impact of data centers on their rural environment. Supervisors Bill Grant and Liz Martin, along with township solicitor Tom Mosca, defended the approval, stating that passing an ordinance now provides necessary safeguards against unregulated applications, which can be amended later. They highlighted the urgency of having regulations in place given the increasing interest in data center development across the region. The adopted ordinance limits data centers to I-1 industrial zones and requires a 500-foot setback from property lines, a significant increase from an earlier proposal. Residents, including Claude Street resident Junell Guarneri, voiced fears that data centers could transform their rural setting into a "Data Center Alley," drawing comparisons to other contentious municipal meetings in the area regarding similar projects. Some also noted that a proposed Luzerne County ordinance offered stricter regulations. Despite these concerns, the supervisors proceeded with the vote, asserting the necessity of establishing a regulatory framework.