Scranton to regulate data centers

Scranton City Council has taken initial steps to regulate data centers by introducing two ordinances from Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti's administration. These ordinances aim to amend the city's 2023 zoning code to proactively address potential data center proposals, despite none being currently planned for the city. Council members, including President Tom Schuster, Patrick Flynn, Mark McAndrew, Sean McAndrew, and Jessica Rothchild, unanimously supported the introduction, emphasizing the importance of being proactive to protect the city and its residents. The proposed legislation adds specific terminology and definitions for various types of data centers (e.g., high-impact, moderate-impact, minor-impact) and creates a "Technology and Energy Overlay" district with boundaries yet to be determined. The ordinances also outline regulations for conditional uses and special exceptions, along with standards for lot and building dimensions, operational and backup electric systems, emergency management, and required impact studies for water usage, environmental, and sound impacts. This initiative comes amidst a surge in data center development across Lackawanna County and Northeast Pennsylvania. While the city's proposed rules are set to be enforceable upon first advertisement as a pending ordinance, both ordinances were tabled after their introduction, awaiting a public hearing that has not yet been scheduled. The city's action aligns with advice from Lackawanna County planning officials for municipalities to independently address data center standards, as a full regional zoning update would be a lengthy process.