Franklin County, Pennsylvania, Municipalities Address Data Center Zoning and Ordinances

The Tri-State Alert reports on the proactive efforts by local governments in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, to regulate data center development. Last month, the Franklin County Commissioners amended their Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) to incorporate specific language addressing data centers. This move comes as Antrim Township prepares to host a public hearing on data centers on July 28, and Chambersburg Borough's Planning and Zoning Commission is working to update the borough's zoning regulations to impact future data center projects.

Chambersburg Borough Manager Jeffrey Stonehill confirmed the ongoing zoning work. Attorney Clint Barkdoll highlighted the urgency of these actions, drawing a parallel to the rapid, unregulated proliferation of solar farms five to ten years ago due to a lack of specific ordinances. Barkdoll warned that without clear definitions and regulations for data centers in local ordinances, developers could potentially establish facilities, large or small, without violating existing rules, especially if they are retrofitting private buildings.

The article emphasizes that not all data centers are "mega warehouse-sized," with smaller facilities making up a significant portion of the sector's server count and energy load. This complexity further underscores the need for proactive regulatory measures by townships and boroughs across Pennsylvania to avoid being caught unprepared by rapid technological advancements and development, which is estimated to see a trillion-dollar investment in the US this year.