OLYPHANT, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — Data centers are continuing to spark debate across northeastern Pennsylvania and Tuesday night, that conversation took center stage in Olyphant. Residents packed council chambers for a public hearing on a proposed zoning amendment that would regulate where these facilities could be built.
It was standing room only inside Olyphant Borough Building Tuesday night, as residents voiced concerns over a proposed zoning amendment that would regulate data centers.
The ordinance would define data centers and limit them as conditional uses within the borough’s CM-2 zoning district, an area that includes the Triboro Industrial Park.
While no formal plans have been submitted, neighboring boroughs like Archbald, who are already facing numerous site proposals, are spreading the debate quickly across the mid valley.
Residents say the potential impacts are too big to ignore and brought a wave of concerns from environmental impact to traffic, construction, and infrastructure.
Many also noted that while data centers may bring jobs, they won’t be hiring the borough’s locals. Residents warned the ordinance should strictly account for noise decibels, energy use, water consumption, and the need for environmental impact studies.
Residents also spoke out against footing the bill on the utilities they’ll share with the campuses.
“Residents do not want to be in harm’s way physically, mentally, emotionally, their pocketbooks. We’re starving the way it is; we don’t need to starve anymore,” said Olyphant resident Rebecca Sheroshik.
Emergency services were also a part of the conversation, with concerns that added demand on the surrounding volunteer firefighters.
Others pointed to neighboring Throop as an example of a different approach.
“We took a different approach in Throop we put the brakes on we put a six month moratorium on it we get to tell the developers where they’re going to go. They’re not going to come in and tell us where they’re going to go,” said Throop zoning officer, Andy Hegedus.
Despite the strong opinions, officials emphasized this hearing was not tied to any specific project, but rather an effort to establish rules before proposals arrive.
“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?” asked Olyphant resident, Melanie Davis.
Council will not vote on the ordinance Tuesday, instead taking time to review public input before a possible vote in April.