Developer appeals denial to build four Dickson City data centers

Dickson City Development LLC, a firm associated with Kriger Construction Inc., has appealed the denial of four data center applications to the Dickson City zoning hearing board. The proposed data centers are planned for Bell Mountain, with footprints ranging from 108,000 to 147,000 square feet. Zoning Officer James Damski denied the applications on Feb. 17, citing insufficient plans and a pending ordinance that regulated data centers, which was adopted on Feb. 12. The core of the dispute revolves around the borough's amended zoning ordinance, which now permits data centers as special exceptions only in manufacturing districts. The developer's attorneys argue that the previous ordinance's allowance for "data processing and record storage" in highway commercial zones should still apply. Borough Solicitor Bill Jones contends that one proposed data center falls within a single-family residential zone. The hearing was contentious, with attorneys Michael Mey (for the developer) and Bill Jones (for the borough) debating maps and plan deficiencies. Kriger Vice President David Stiles and KCI Technologies program manager Jennifer Leonard testified for the developer. Residents packed the chambers, and some audibly reacted when a data center outline was shown on the property of the 77-year-old Circle Drive-In. Joseph Calabro, president of the Circle Drive-In, clarified that the business itself is not for sale, and any development would occur on an undeveloped 49-acre parcel behind the theater, which he believes would not impact operations. The zoning hearing is scheduled to resume on May 21.