South Strabane residents call for quick vote on data center ordinance

South Strabane supervisors engaged in a discussion regarding two long-awaited ordinances pertinent to data center development within the township. This followed a contentious public comment period that saw over 45 residents attending the meeting, many of whom urged the board for swift action on the proposed regulations. Township leadership has been reviewing a draft ordinance concerning data center zoning since fall 2025, conducting periodic public hearings to gather community input. Resident feedback at the recent meeting, consistent with prior sessions, showed uniform opposition to data center development due to concerns about potential light, noise, and environmental pollution. The public's apprehension began last fall when JLL, a real estate firm, listed a 1,400-acre property owned by CNX Resources on Zediker Station Road as a prime site for a large data center project. Township solicitor Dennis Makel indicated he is studying whitepaper reports on data center development from Luzerne and Lancaster counties to inform the South Strabane ordinance, also reviewing public feedback, legal precedents, and scholarly resources to optimize the final draft. Supervisor Vice Chairman Jeff Bull affirmed the board's commitment to the issue, noting the extensive legal work involved. Supervisor Chairman George Rowand confirmed that supervisors would hold an executive session to discuss the draft ordinances on industrial noise limits and data center zoning, while a third ordinance on fossil fuel power generation was tabled until May. Makel stated another public hearing on data center ordinances would precede final adoption votes, though no specific date was set.