Hazle Twp. planners invite public comments on data center rules
Hazle Township planners are seeking public comments on a proposed curative amendment establishing rules for data centers and battery storage. The draft would require special-exception approval, large setbacks, waterless or closed-loop cooling, power-purchase agreements, sound studies, and environmental and traffic reviews before projects could proceed.
The Hazle Township Planning Department moved its public meeting on a proposed data center ordinance to Hazleton Area High School on Oct. 29. Residents will be able to comment on a revised curative amendment covering a potential industrial-area data center and battery-storage development north of Route 924, west of Interstate 81 and east of 230-kilovolt transmission lines.
The amendment would require data centers and related uses to obtain special-exception approval, maintain substantial setbacks from homes and waterways, use closed-loop or waterless cooling, and secure agreements for public water service and power purchases. It also proposes buffer areas, noise and sound studies, traffic and mine-land reviews, and decommissioning plans. After further planning review, the department will recommend action to the township supervisors, who must hold a public hearing before voting; the Luzerne County Planning Commission will also provide a recommendation. NorthPoint Development has separately proposed a 15-building data center campus, known as Project Hazelnut, in the township.