Archbald drafts new, stricter standards for data centers
Archbald Borough is drafting new, stricter zoning standards for data centers in response to significant resident opposition. The proposed ordinance would restrict data center development to industrial land and mandate developer-funded studies on environmental, health, traffic, and property value impacts. This comes after widespread community pushback against previous, more permissive regulations, which led to the resignation of several council members.
Archbald Borough is moving to adopt a more stringent set of zoning standards for data centers, a year after residents vocally opposed previous regulations that permitted extensive development. The new 26-page draft ordinance aims to restrict future data center projects exclusively to industrial land, addressing key concerns raised by the community regarding their proximity to homes, parks, and schools.
Key provisions of the proposed ordinance include the removal of noise exemptions for data center backup generators, which J. Michael Spencer of JMS Acoustics LLC criticized as scientifically unfounded. It also prohibits the use of emergency generators for peak shaving or grid support and mandates adherence to the strictest emissions standards. Furthermore, the draft requires developers to fund comprehensive studies, including environmental, public health, thermal impact, community emergency response, traffic impact, property value assessment, and decommissioning plans. These measures emerged from extensive public hearings and resident input, with Michael Pilch of Stop Archbald Data Centers noting that the council "really listened to residents."
This legislative effort follows a period of intense public scrutiny and political upheaval. Archbald's initial zoning ordinance in March 2023 allowed data centers as principal permitted uses in multiple commercial and industrial districts without specific conditions. Although an amendment later limited them to conditional uses in four overlay districts, residents, notably at a September 29, 2025, public hearing, deemed it too lenient. Following a petition signed by over 800 residents and accusations of public trust violations regarding communications with developers, four council members who had voted for the prior ordinance resigned in April.
The proposed ordinance, which removes the controversial overlay districts and makes data centers conditional uses only in the general industrial zoning district (like the Valley View Business Park), now awaits a council vote to be advertised for another public hearing. Borough Solicitor Jay O'Connor confirmed this step is necessary before the ordinance can be finalized and passed.