Data centers in Pennsylvania local government
What Pennsylvania city councils, county boards and school districts are deciding about data centers — plain-English summaries written from official agendas and minutes, updated as meetings happen.
47 Pennsylvania meetings since 2024 covered data centers. Counts are directional — coverage varies by place and platform.
Places in Pennsylvania with the most data centers activity
- Allentown, PA (11)
- West Chester, PA (10)
- Phoenixville, PA (5)
- Bradford County, PA (4)
- Luzerne County, PA (4)
- Easton, PA (3)
- Norristown, PA (2)
- Manheim, PA (1)
- Wayne County, PA (1)
- Slatington, PA (1)
- Media, PA (1)
- Pottstown, PA (1)
Latest matching meetings
Council considers new regulations for data center land use
The City Council will hold a public hearing regarding proposed changes to the zoning ordinance. The amendment aims to tighten rules for data centers by increasing setback requirements and revising noise standards.
Council considers zoning for data centers and police staffing increases
Norristown Municipal Council will hold a public hearing on permitting data centers in the Heavy Industrial District. The body is also deciding on police hiring, land development for a school addition, and several municipal contracts.
Commission reviews plan to convert a warehouse at 2401 Emaus Ave into a data center.
The Allentown Planning Commission will review an amended land development application from Quantm Group, LLC. The proposal seeks to change a previously approved warehouse into a data center and add roughly 23,000 square feet of building space. Commissioners will evaluate the revised site plan before voting on approval.
Council to decide on EMS building contract change order
The Manheim Borough Council will consider approving a change order that deletes landscaping from the EMS Building Conversion Project, reducing the contract to $839,086.27, and a resolution referring 265 South Charlotte Street to the Vacant Property Reinvestment Program. Other items include approval for an officer to…
Planning Commission to consider a Data Center ordinance for the Heavy Industrial district
The Norristown Planning Commission will meet on July 14, 2026 to discuss two proposals. One is a text amendment (26-03) to allow rowhouse standards in the Multi-Family Residential District. The other is Ordinance 26-04 to amend Chapter 320 of the General Laws of Norristown and set regulations for Data Centers and…
Council to hear data center zoning, kratom ban, public safety tax
The Borough Council work session will vote on several items including a zoning amendment to allow data centers in industrial districts, an ordinance to ban kratom products, and a discussion on establishing a public safety tax. Other actions include fee increases for recycling bins, a $15,850 elevator repair contract…
Data center zoning amendment heads to public hearing July 15
The Smart Growth Committee will note a July 15 public hearing on a zoning amendment to allow data centers and data center campuses as conditional uses in the Industrial District. The committee also continues discussing large party permits on private property and considers restrictions on gas-powered leaf blowers.
Committee to review zoning amendments for East Pikeland and Schuylkill
The Phoenixville Regional Planning Committee will conduct consistency reviews of proposed zoning amendments from East Pikeland and a subdivision/land development amendment from Schuylkill. The committee also discusses a data center model ordinance and correspondence on community choice aggregation. Invoices and…
Council considers new zoning rules for data center use
The City Council is holding a special meeting to introduce Bill 52. This ordinance would amend the city's zoning code regarding manufacturing and industry by adding specific regulations and public notice requirements for data centers.
Council to review proposed amendments regarding data center regulations
The Council is reviewing a draft letter concerning potential changes to the City's Zoning Ordinance following the passage of Bill 20. Members will evaluate public comments and feedback before voting on the final version of the letter.
Council to vote on $10M grant for Emmaus Avenue safety upgrades
City Council will hold final votes on several ordinances and resolutions, including a zoning change to allow data centers, a $649k PFAS remediation appropriation, and a $10M grant application for Emmaus Avenue safety upgrades. Also introduced are budget amendments for a crosswalk beacon, health position…
Data center amendment working group meets before regular planning commission
The Planning Commission will first hold a Data Center Amendment Working Group session at 5 PM to discuss potential changes to data center regulations. At the 6 PM regular meeting, they will approve minutes, receive a monthly report, and accept 11 new subdivision or land development applications. The commission will…
Council to rescind paving award, consider $243,587 contract with Longs Asphalt
The Borough Council will vote on a motion to rescind the 2026 paving award to T. Schiefer Contractors and award a new contract to Longs Asphalt for $243,587.35. Council will also discuss drafting an ordinance to ban kratom sales, and consider a zoning amendment for smoke/vape shops. Several public hearings are…
Data Center Ordinance public hearing set for July 15
The Smart Growth Committee will discuss permitting requirements for large parties on private property, consider approving several HARB Certificate of Appropriateness applications for historic properties, and discuss supporting a grant for the West Chester Art District. The committee also announces a continued WCU…
Planning Commission to review revised Data Center Ordinance and two townhome projects
The Planning Commission will discuss several old business items, including an update on the removal of zoning code 97A.19.19, a revised Data Center Ordinance, and two townhome developments at 410 South High Street and 615-617 S. Walnut Street. Commission members will also present on SALDO and zoning topics such as…
Council to vote on zoning change allowing data centers in manufacturing districts
The Allentown City Council will hold public hearings and vote on several ordinances, including a zoning amendment to define and permit data center uses in manufacturing zones (Bill 20) and a bill removing Selective Service registration as a disqualifier for police and fire civil service exams (Bill 45). The council…
City Council to consider data center zoning amendment
City Council will hold a public hearing and then vote on an ordinance to amend the zoning code to add 'Data Center Use' as a permitted use in manufacturing zones, and to define related terms such as data center and renewable energy accessory uses.
Data Center Ordinance edits and townhome proposals highlight meeting
The Planning Commission will hold a work session to discuss updates on several ongoing items, including the West Chester University Master Plan conditional use hearing, townhome developments at 410 S. High Street and 615-617 S. Walnut Street, and presentations on zoning topics such as preservation, pedestrian safety…
Debate data center regulations in Bill 20 ahead of public hearing
The Environmental Advisory Council will discuss Bill 20, which would add regulations on data center use, ahead of a public hearing on June 3. They will also review updates on the Climate Action Plan, tree canopy, litter reduction, and several ACPC project reviews including a data center conversion at 2401 Emaus Avenue.
PRPC to review West Vincent data center zoning, discuss solar aggregation
The committee will conduct a consistency review of West Vincent Township's proposed zoning for data centers. It will also discuss community solar aggregation as part of a regional clean energy initiative. Other business includes a work plan for a model data center ordinance and approval of an invoice from Theurkauf…
Council holds public hearing on limiting recycling totes
The Borough Council will hold a public hearing on an ordinance to limit the number of recycling totes. The council will also discuss an appeal of a zoning hearing board decision at 516 N Church Street. Numerous consent items are up for a vote, including a $233,993 paving program, budget modifications, police officer…
Planning Commission considers new data center development standards
The Bradford County Planning Commission is considering a proposed amendment (2026-01) to the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, introducing new standards specifically for data center facilities. The draft includes definitions, setback and buffering requirements, impact mitigation, utility and power…
Planning Commission to consider AutoZone store final plan in Lake Township
The commission will vote on Final Plan Approval for a 7,382 sq. ft. AutoZone retail store on SR 118 in Lake Township. Three waivers are requested, and a $148,942.20 financial security guarantee is required. The agenda also includes an update on the Data Center Zoning Ordinance Amendment, including provisions for…
Committee considers zoning change to allow data centers in Allentown
The Community and Economic Development Committee will vote on three bills: Bill 20 to add data centers as a permitted use in manufacturing zones; Bill 33 to replace the blight ordinance with a new vacant property chapter; and Bill 34 to adjust salaries and benefits for two employees funded by a federal grant.
Committee to vote on draft Data Center Ordinance for industrial district
The Smart Growth Committee will consider a motion to approve a draft Data Center Ordinance creating new regulations for data centers in the industrial district and schedule a public hearing. Other business includes discussing an appeal of a Zoning Hearing Board decision at 516 N Church St, reviewing a draft Food Truck…
Planning Commission reviews data center and solar energy regulations
The Wayne County Planning Commission is reviewing proposed ordinance amendments for Preston and Sterling Townships. The body is also discussing Penn DOT's 2026 construction schedule for the county.
Data center ordinance, townhome project on agenda
The Planning Commission will consider a proposed ordinance regulating data centers and review a townhome project at 410 South High Street. Commissioners will also present on zoning topics including side yards, pedestrian safety, the East Corridor, and attainable housing. The meeting includes updates on removal of…
Council to discuss tolerance for small data centers in comprehensive plan
The Slatington Borough Council will hold a regular meeting on May 11, 2026. Key items include a discussion on selling borough-owned property adjacent to Rentschler's body shop, a fire department presentation on a proposed new fire truck, and updates on the 100 Steps project which may be over budget. The council will…
Planning Commission to consider proposed data center ordinance
This work session includes updates on zoning code changes, recreation space fees, and the West Chester University Master Plan. New business features a proposed ordinance regulating data centers and a townhome development at 410 South High Street. Commissioners will also present reviews of SALDO and zoning topics…
Committee to discuss data center model ordinance and regional policy
The Phoenixville Regional Planning Committee will discuss a data center model ordinance and regional policy as part of its 2026 Work Plan. The agenda also includes approval of minutes from the previous meeting and an invoice from Theurkauf Design & Planning. Additional old business items include a PRPC Trail Committee…
Affordable housing update and variance request at 32 W 7th St. top agenda
The Community Development Committee will receive an update on Media Fellowship House's affordable housing programs. They will consider a dimensional variance request at 32 W 7th Street for a rear yard deck. Other items include enforcement of sidewalk dining and plastic straws, a potential yoga studio at 47 East State…
Ordinance Committee to review data center regulations
The Ordinance Review Committee will discuss proposed revisions to four ordinances: data centers, vacant commercial properties, keeping of chickens, and shared parking lots for residential uses. Several items are deferred to July 15, 2026. The committee also notes pending future reviews on signs, trash pick-ups…
Planning Commission to consider data center zoning amendment
The Allentown Planning Commission will hold a public meeting to discuss a proposed zoning amendment adding 'Data Center Use' definitions and regulations. They will also vote on approving previous meeting minutes, an adaptive re-use project converting a warehouse into six apartments, and a preliminary/final land…
Planning Commission reviews multiple zoning and subdivision ordinance amendments
The Luzerne County Planning Commission will consider several amendments to the County Zoning Ordinance, including new definitions and standards for Data Centers and Battery Energy Storage Systems, as well as landscape buffer requirements between industrial and residential zones. It will also review updates to the…
PRPC to discuss data centers and detention centers in work plan
The Phoenixville Regional Planning Committee will approve invoices and minutes for its March 25 meeting. The committee will discuss a proposed 2026 work plan that includes new land uses for data centers and detention centers.
Commission reviews approval of a 3‑MW solar project in Canton Township
The Bradford County Planning Commission met on March 17, 2026 to consider a range of subdivision plans, land development applications, and major projects. The agenda included approvals of several minor subdivisions and motions to table or conditionally approve larger developments such as a solar facility in Orwell…
Planning Commission to consider final plan approval for Mircam Yatesville Facility
The commission will act on the minutes from the February 12, 2026 meeting. It will consider a final‑plan approval request from Mircam Properties for a 12,000‑sq‑ft commercial storage, office and training facility at 69 Pittston Ave in Yatesville Borough, including three waivers to the Subdivision/Land Development…
Planning Commission will consider a zoning amendment increasing notice distance to 200 feet
The Easton Planning Commission will meet on March 4, 2026 to consider several agenda items. A key item is a zoning amendment that would change the required notice distance for property owners from 100 feet to 200 feet. Other items include a presentation on planning processes and regulations, a recommendation…
Phoenixville Regional Planning Committee to review zoning amendment
The Phoenixville Regional Planning Committee will meet to approve invoices, review correspondence regarding county bicycle routes and data centers, and discuss a consistency review of a zoning amendment. The meeting will also include updates on the 2026 work plan and the PRPC Trail Committee.
Environmental Advisory Council to discuss data center recommendations and air quality
The Environmental Advisory Council is meeting to review recommendations for data center amendments and a draft containerization survey. The body will also provide an update on an air quality event and discuss social media.