Palmerton now has some teeth to regulate the development of data centers in the borough.

On a 5-0 vote, borough council on Thursday adopted an ordinance amending the zoning ordinance for adding use and regulations for data centers.

That came after a public hearing amending the zoning ordinance for data center use and regulations.

Councilmen Kris Hoffner and Richard Nothstein were absent.

The borough used PennFuture to establish guidelines, and the borough public relations, borough planning commission and Carbon County Planning Commission reviewed it.

Changes to ordinance

Councilwoman Holly Hausman-Sell said the changes include:

• Definitions of a data center and establishment of zoning districts.

• Requirements for Specific Special Exceptions and Other Uses, amended to add regulations for dimensional standards, landscape buffering, fencing, equipment screening, noise and vibration, water usage from various sources, sewer, power supply, emergency management, aesthetics, parking, decommissioning, utility lines, environmental impact statement, outdoor lighting, construction hours, and public inquiries/complaints for data center and data center accessory uses.

• Change the wording “special exception” to “conditional use.”

Sell said, “While Palmerton Borough is able to regulate use through zoning, we must provide for all uses to avoid challenges to our ordinance.

“As council recognizes the development trend of data centers, the borough is taking proactive steps to amend its zoning ordinance to add and regulate the use as it was not previously provided for.”

Residents speak

About 40 residents attended the public hearing, though only a little more than a handful spoke on the matter.

Maynard Silliman didn’t mince words when sharing his viewpoint on data centers.

“Don’t ever dare to put a data center (on the four-lane along Route 248, the site of the former Palmerton Zinc West Plant),” Silliman said. “The people don’t need it.”

Silliman added, “I do not want the borough to ever attempt” to put a data center in because, “You don’t know how loud they’re going to be.”

Kristin Blahnik thanked the borough for putting an ordinance in place, and offered suggested guidelines related to noise and water.

Dale Lauer Jr., said he does not want to see a data center anywhere in the borough.

“I don’t know what’s in it for the town,” Lauer Jr. said. “What does a data center do for us citizens of Palmerton?”

Kathy Fallow, of Save Carbon County, said Save Carbon County is satisfied with the ordinance.

“Our teams is pleased that the ordinance is an overlay,” Fallow said. “We feel it is thorough and we don’t want to delay or limit future construction on the Northface site.”

William Strauch asked if the data center would use potable or industrial water.

“There is no data center,” Councilman Andrew Hollywood clarified.

Borough solicitor Jenny Y.C. Cheng said there has been no application.

Sarina Berlow said she applauded borough council “for being proactive in putting this ordinance into place.”