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Blair County Planning Commission members Thursday reviewed two ordinance amendments in relation to data centers.
Members found the proposed amendments from Taylor and Antis Township to be consistent with the county's comprehensive plan.
The 20-page Taylor Township ordinance seeks to amend the township's subdivision and land development ordinance to address standards applicable to data centers and related uses.
"It is a really thorough ordinance that addresses a lot of the community concerns, it has some teeth," said Regional Planner MacKenzie Caron. "This is the first we are seeing a municipality present to us a data center ordinance. We want to give the most accurate information to the public and educate ourselves."
Our purpose is to review proposed data center developments for consistency with municipal plans and policies and provide recommendations to the governing body for its consideration, Caron said. Data centers are not specifically addressed in the comprehensive plan.
"What we are doing is reviewing and having a say, we are bringing this to the attention of the public and reviewing it to make sure it is consistent with our comprehensive plan. Our role is to make sure it is done in good faith to make sure it is consistent with Taylor Township ordinances and comprehensive plan," Caron said.
Member Rodney Green, who lives in Taylor Township, said he has some concerns about the ordinance but praised Taylor Township officials for their efforts.
"I have a concern over sound and lighting. I want the information about the lighting to be more specific," Green said.
Green also said he has some concerns about noise levels and water cooling since Halter Creek, a Class A trout stream, runs through the area.
Although no one has yet submitted a plan for a data center, Green said he has heard a possible site may be the woodyard area near the former Appvion paper mill.
Green said there was noise and light at the wood yard, and he is concerned about proximity to a neighborhood.
"There is a concern about light pollution in the area," Green said
"Roaring Spring and Taylor Township have been working closely on this, they are interested in collaborating on this. There has been an effort to work across municipalities on this. The paper mill was a massive loss of jobs; something like this has the potential to bring in new jobs, but I have not seen a proposal," Caron said.
Meanwhile, the 11-page Antis Township ordinance is designed to define and add specific requirements for buffers, data centers and data center accessory uses.
"It is a good ordinance, but lacks a lot of specificity. I spoke with Township Manager Doug Brown and he said he has no inkling of a data center in the township. It is an 11-page ordinance and does a pretty good job of being in the middle of the road," Caron said.
She said the ordinance has sections on definitions, design standards including required improvements to sidewalks and buffer area, general requirements, noise, energy management, resource use, aesthetics and parking.
"This is an attempt to get in front of something people are talking about. It is not inconsistent with our comprehensive plan," Caron said. "Antis Township is not facing a proposal for a data center. It is in the middle of the road and includes the necessary information required by the state."
Member Peter Folen called the ordinance a good start.
"As technology develops and we get more guidance from the state, ordinances can be updated. A general approach without a scientific backdrop is good and it is consistent with our comprehensive plan," Folen said.
Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 814-946-7467.