Olyphant residents voice concerns at zoning hearing for future data centers

Olyphant, Pennsylvania residents expressed overwhelming concerns at a public hearing regarding a proposed zoning amendment designed to regulate the future construction of data centers within the borough. The hearing, held in the Olyphant Borough Building, saw a standing-room-only crowd, with residents raising a multitude of issues despite the absence of any specific project proposals for Olyphant itself. The proposed ordinance aims to define data centers and restrict their development as conditional uses within the borough's CM-2 zoning district, which includes the Triboro Industrial Park. Citizens voiced fears about environmental impact, increased traffic, strain on existing infrastructure, and the potential for residents to bear the cost of shared utilities. Rebecca Sheroshik, an Olyphant resident, stated, "Residents do not want to be in harm's way physically, mentally, emotionally, their pocketbooks." Concerns were also raised about the limited local job creation from data centers and the added demand on volunteer emergency services. Andy Hegedus, Throop's zoning officer, offered Throop's approach as an alternative, noting that they had implemented a six-month moratorium to gain control over developer placements. Officials in Olyphant clarified that the hearing was merely to establish regulations proactively, not to discuss a specific project. Melanie Davis, another Olyphant resident, passionately asked, "Look around this room. This is a beautiful room Think about a data center think about 12 data centers on a hill who would say that’s beautiful? Who?" The Olyphant Council will take public input into consideration and is expected to vote on the ordinance in April.