LOCK HAVEN — The Clinton County Board of Commissioners are looking to take pro-active measures regarding data centers and other, similar, developments.

During its voting session this week, the board unanimously passed a resolution which would allow its staff to draft an amendment to its current zoning ordinance which would provide clearing regulations regarding the facilities which have become prevalent across the Commonwealth.

County Engineer/Planner Stephen Gibson told The Express amendments like these have become a common approach in Pennsylvania.

“The data center development is moving very quickly in Pa. because of its proximity to clean water, land, power/gas, internet and, most importantly, one-third of the population of the United States is within a short drive from Central Pa.,” Gibson said.

The amendments, he said, will prevent a developer from challenging the county if it were to prohibit the construction of a data center.

“Since our zoning ordinance does not specifically allow or prohibit data center development, a developer could legally challenge where they can and can’t build a data center,” he said. “In order to protect the citizens of Clinton County, the commissioners have decided to put a 180 day pause on data center applications that are in county jurisdiction, until an ordinance can be adopted.”

The county’s jurisdiction, he said, is only within Grugan, Gallagher, Noyes, West Keating and Logan townships. He said all other municipalities would need to adopt an ordinance or amend its current one and then adopt an updated version.

Some municipalities within the county have already taken steps, or are currently in the process, of updating their zoning ordinances including in Pine Creek Township and Loganton Borough.

The new ordinance being amended and presented for the county can serve as an example for other municipalities that may want to update its ordinance.

“We are writing the new ordinance so that it may act as a ‘model’ ordinance for other municipalities to adopt,” he said. “If municipalities want to adopt a curative amendment, they should check with their solicitor, and possibly contact the county solicitor.”

Gibson noted many municipalities regionally have begun reviewing their zoning ordinances due to the influx of data center proposals in the state.

A rough draft of the amendment is already in the works, with a steering committee formed to help tighten up language regarding setbacks, noise, light, water usage and more, Gibson said.

“We expect to have the ordinance adopted in the next 60 to 90 days,” he said.

Gibson told The Express it was also important to note not all data centers are hyperscale — meaning one which is massive in size. Those, he said, have been declared disruptive in certain parts of the United States due to poor zoning or limited control on development.

“If these developments are executed with limitations on noise, vibration, light, public power consumption, water consumption, they really are no different than any large building or facility,” he said. “I think a data center development in Clinton County would be a drop in the bucket compared to the Marcellus Shale development that is still ongoing.”

To further protect residents of the county, Gibson said he and his staff are working to require a developers agreement for any possible data centers.

“(It would) require the developer to provide annual monetary contributions to impacted municipalities to fix or improve roads, bridges, utilities, emergency services, public services/healthcare, trails and other recreational facilities,” he said.