Schuylkill County Commissioners on Thursday agreed to rework the county zoning ordinance concerning data centers and battery energy storage systems.

They adopted a resolution, declaring the county ordinance to be substantially invalid with the respect to the use of property for data centers and battery energy storage systems.

Within 180 days, the county will adopt curative amendments to the zoning ordinance to provide a defined use for the term “data centers,” and a defined use for the term “battery energy storage systems.”

The county zoning ordinance applies only to municipalities without their own zoning and land use rules. That’s about half of the municipalities.

Commissioners want the rules defined due to the surge of planned data centers across the state, including one planned for 600 acres in the Highridge Business Park in Butler Township.

In other matters, commissioners approved a contract with Creswell Brothers General Contractors for repairs at the Adult Probation office building, Pottsville, which was recently damaged by a vehicle. The damage is covered by insurance. The cost of repairs is capped at $40,685.

Commissioners also appointed Anthony Prudenti, West Penn Township, to the Tax Assessment Appeals Board at $30 an hour. His appointment is until Dec. 31.

They also reappointed Karen Kenderdine as a member of the Luzerne/Schuylkill Workforce Development Board, beginning Aug. 12. Her reappointment will run through Aug. 11, 2030.

Kenderdine is currently employed at Mid Penn Bank, Cressona, as the Senior Vice President/Director of Relationship Services. She will represent the business sector in the financial industry. Also reappointed to the board was Paul Straka. Straka is currently employed by Service Access and Management, Pottsville, as the director of Business Development and Consulting. He will represent the business sector in the financial industry.

Commissioners also appointed Evelyn C. Datte, the daughter of county solicitor Paul J. Datte, to the Schuylkill County Municipal Authority to serve the balance of the term of Matthew A. Baran, which expires on Dec. 31, 2030. Baran’s resignation from the board was also accepted.