The Franklin County Commissioners have taken a step toward helping municipalities plan for future growth by presenting an amendment to the county’s existing subdivision and land development ordinance that would establish regulations for data centers in Franklin County. The proposed amendment is now available for public review.
The amendment outlines standards and regulations for the construction, installation and operation of data centers in Franklin County. Specifically, its guidelines promote conscientious economic development while still protecting the health, safety and welfare of residents. The amendment also provides clear criteria that would limit data centers from having significant impacts on farmland, natural resources and other sensitive areas.
“We want to ensure our municipalities are well positioned to make educated, informed decisions about responsible growth,” said Franklin County Commissioner Chairman Dean Horst.
In Pennsylvania, land use and development policies are primarily controlled by individual municipalities. Currently 21 of Franklin County’s 22 municipalities have subdivision and land development ordinances, and 12 have adopted zoning ordinances.
The county’s amended ordinance provides added safeguards – in the event a municipality would repeal an existing ordinance – to guide the development of data centers while staying true to the commissioners’ goals of smart growth, protecting Franklin County’s natural resources and valuable farmland, and preserving the character of local communities.
Franklin County residents are encouraged to review the amendment, available online at www.franklincountypa.gov or at the commissioners’ office. Feedback can be submitted through the county’s public comment form, https://bit.ly/3O99ElJ. Those interested in learning more about the amendment are invited to a public hearing, to be held in conjunction with the commissioners’ April 1 public board meeting beginning at 10 a.m. at the Franklin County Administration Building, 272 N. Second St., Chambersburg. The commissioners anticipate voting on the amendment following the hearing and mandatory public review period.
